Hi-5 star's sexy photo shoot angers family groups

Kellie Crawford last year (L) and in her Hi-5 days (R). Photos / Getty Images and Supplied

Former Hi-5 performer Kellie Crawford has caused a furore in her native Australia after posing in lacy underwear for men's magazine Ralph.

The 34-year-old, who rose to prominence on the popular children's television show, said she agreed to the shoot because she didn't think people were seeing her as a woman.

"Being dressed in kid-friendly clothes for the last 10 years and having everything covered, it made me dress differently outside of work as well," she was quoted as saying in the article accompanying the photo spread.

"It was a good way for me to get in touch with myself again and find the woman in me."

But family groups are not impressed with Crawford's decision, saying she is sending a negative message to her many young female fans.

Women's Forum Australia spokeswoman Melinda Tankard Reist told the Herald Sun Crawford was abusing her position as a role model.

"The fact she's posed on a cover is particularly problematic because magazines like Ralph are on shop shelves at kiddy eye level," she said.

"There is no escaping the message she is sending to little girls, that posing in a men's magazine in a soft-porn style is something to aspire to."

Crawford, who was married last year, told the Herald Sun her husband Addam loved her new look.

"He said, 'If this is going to make you feel like a woman and feel like I see you every day, then do it'."

The interview with Ralph touched on the fact that, despite being children's entertainers, Kellie and her female Hi-5 co-presenters had their share of adult male fans.

"In the beginning there were just so many mums (at Hi-5's live shows) - it was literally a game of Spot The Dad," Crawford said.

"But more and more dads started coming along. The dads were really nice. They'd just come backstage with their kids and smile and say hi, but the kids would blurt out, 'My dad really likes you!'

"We'd be like, 'Thanks, but you've just totally embarrassed your dad'."