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Gemma Arterton can defend herself in a fight

Feb 11, 2012, 11:01 GMT

Gemma Arterton

Gemma Arterton learnt how to fight when she was growing up.

The British actress and her younger sister Hannah were raised on a council estate in Kent, in south east England, by their mother Sally-Anne - who brought them up alone after divorcing Gemma's father - and the Hollywood starlet admits she had to learn how to defend herself.

She revealed to America's Vogue magazine: 'I never started anything. I was always provoked.'

Recalling one incident outside a Gravesend Theatre when a local girl demanded a cigarette from her, said: 'I was like, 'Why don't you buy your own like the rest of us?' And she punched me in the face! She was much smaller than me, and it was a really s**t punch, so I punched her back.'

The 'Tamara Drewe' star was also prepared to confront boys who stepped out of line with her.

She said: 'I was quite strong-willed and not very good with boys (growing up). I was in this s**t club in Gravesend and this boy pinched my arse, and I turned round and decked him. He just didn't know what hit him, Obviously, I did!'