The 35-year-old actress has outraged fellow actors by filming an advert during the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strike.

SAG members have been on strike since 1 May over "pay for play" conditions in adverts. The actors want this rule to be extended to Cable TV adverts which are currently paid at a flat rate and not based on how many times the advert is shown.

Liz Hurley claims that she was not aware of the strike when she filmed the Est�e Lauder advert.

"It's very sad for me because they are my union and I do support the strike. I wouldn't have dreamt of working had I known there was a strike but the fact remains I didn't know. You can't rewrite history.

"I have apologised and said 'Hey I'm sorry, I didn't know" she said.

She has also made a $25,000 (�17,000) donation to the SAG to show her support.

More than 200 protesters were at the premiere. Banners declaring 'Liz = ugly scab' and 'Beauty fades - honour doesn't' were waved as the actress arrived at Mann's Chinese Theatre.

One protestor said: "She's upset a lot of people. Her reputation in this town is zilch."

Possible expulsion

A spokesman for the SAG said: "She has expressed her regret in a letter to the union but she's definitely going to have to appear before the board."

Ms Hurley faces a heavy fine and possible expulsion from the union, which would seriously damage her career.

"Without union membership, her chances of starring in another Hollywood movie are nil" said a SAG spokesman. The SAG strike started in May and has since gained support from another union, the American Federation of Television and Radio artists.

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