The camera may never lie. But it can certainly be very economical with the truth - as shown by the latest publicity pictures of the stars of Desperate Housewives.

The pictures below, show them glowing and line-free, and have been released to promote the show's fifth series.

They are in contrast to recent shots of the ladies in real life.

Teri Hatcher: From gaunt to glam

Felicity Huffman: Bleary to bright

Marcia Cross: Pale to perfect

Teri Hatcher's appearance in the publicity shots belies her 43 years.

Marcia Cross, 46, looks radiant despite the demands of twin daughters Eden and Savannah, one.

And Oscar-nominated Felicity Huffman, 45, is equally alluring.

And glamorous Eva Longoria Parker, 33, looks positively ravishing.

Ravishing: Eva Longoria looks ravishing in her publicity picture - but below she looks far less glamorous

Airbrushing expert Chris Blackmore said: 'None of them have any eye bags or crows feet around their eyes.

'There are no lines or contours on their arms, hands, legs and feet either, which is really unnatural.

'They look almost like shop mannequins their skin is so perfect.

Radiant: Nicollette Sheridan's publicity shot

'Work to this image would probably have taken around a day.'

Mrs Longoria Parker's turn in the fifth season of the show won't be quite as glamorous as her publicity picture suggests.

It picks up in the year 2013, where Eva's character Gabrielle has acquired two children and a few extra pounds.

Producer Marc Cherry said: 'The flash-forward was my way of hitting the reset button on the show.

'I felt the story lines had gotten to operatic and complex, and I wanted to go back to the simplicity of season one.

'It’s our way of washing away the soap. Season five will open five years down the road, and there’s a big new mystery.

'It involves several new neighbours'

Nicollette Sheridan has been the subject of persistent rumours she is exiting the hit show after she was kicked off Wisteria Lane at the end of season four.

But producers have confirmed that she will appear at the next season and with a brand new love interest, Boomtown star Neal McDonough.

Mr Cherry said: 'Edie will come back to Wisteria Lane in a very surprising way.

'We’re not telling you any more than that.'

Edie's return, Nicollette says, 'will be hot.'

In real life, Mrs Longoria Parker has swapped her dresses for baggy flares, prompting rumours she may be expecting a baby with her basketball-star husband Tony, 26.

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They're back: The series picks up in the year 2013