Channing strips to commit to comedy (From York Press)

Channing strips to commit to comedy

2:40am Sunday 15th July 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Channing Tatum's new film captures the "essence" of his former life as a stripper - but not what actually happened, the star has said.

The Hollywood star, 32, who worked as a male stripper before he found success in Hollywood, stars with Matthew McConaughey in Magic Mike.

"In the end, this is a simple story about someone trying to find his way," he said of the film.

"It was the atmosphere and energy of it [male stripping] I wanted to capture, and that feeling of being at a time in your life when you're trying things out, and up for anything."

Channing said that he "really enjoyed" his past work as a male stripper, but added that "being in a thong can be a humbling experience.

"The more you try to look sexy, the lamer it is, so you just have to commit to the comedy," he added.