Lea Michele poses completely NAKED on Women's Health UK magazine cover

Actress Lea Michele lays herself bare in more ways than one this month, as she poses completely naked for Women's Health UK. Admitting that she believes her gym-honed body has its imperfections, the former Glee actress, 29, confidently takes the cover of the third annual nude issue, 'flaws and all'.

Lea is just one of a host of brave and beautiful stars - including Made In Chelsea's Binky Felstead and Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson - tastefully shot with not a stitch on this month.

Lea features in three snapshots, including a cheeky cover where she peeps over one shoulder with her pert derriere on display

In a second, the actress and singer is outstretched as she uses her hands to preserve her modesty while her bedhead tresses are glamorously tossed over one shoulder. 

Speaking openly on her image, she told the magazine: 'I'm not perfect. I'm not trying to represent myself as being some perfect girl, but I love myself, flaws and all. Everyone has their own things, and I have my own list.'

Gym bunny Lea added: 'Right now, I feel physically in my best shape, and emotionally in my best place.'

An obvious candidate for the cover of a body bible like Women's Health, Lea is a true devotee to fitness, even though she now admits that the gym is not her idea of fun.

'I'm not the kind of person who would go to the gym,' she said. 'For me, working out has to be good for my mind too, and when I leave [spinning class SoulCycle], the endorphins are buzzing, I'm glowing and I feel like I can take on the world.'  

Laid bare, Lea's shape certainly takes precedence among a sea of meaningful body inkings, including one tribute to her late on and off screen boyfriend, Cory Monteith.

The number '5' can be seen beneath the actress' arm and was added to her collection in April as a dedication to his 'Quarterback' character Finn Hudson, who was written out of their sitcom Glee when Cory passed away in July 2013 following an overdose.

'I have down days,' Lea admitted, of her current wellbeing. 'I accept those days as much as the happy ones.'

'[I just] make some macaroni cheese, call my mom, pour a glass of red wine and watch some reality television. There's nothing that can't fix.' 

'I take care of myself,' she continued. 'And I spend a lot of time and energy doing that, so I need someone else to look after themselves too. It's only then that you can come together and be a really good team.'