James Anderson has become the first cricketer to appear on the front cover of gay lifestyle magazine Attitude, reports The Daily Mail.
The England swing bowler, who is married with one child and another on the way, features in the October issue.
Anderson had no qualms about promoting his image as a gay icon, appearing stylishly in numerous naked poses in a London car park chosen to give a gritty urban background for the shoot.
When his involvement in the project was announced, Anderson said: 'There's a perception of lots of committees and old men being quite prim and proper, but I think the game is moving with the times.
'I think doing this could be fantastic for cricket. Hopefully this will attract a new sort of fan.'
He added: 'If there are any gay cricketers, they should feel confident enough to come out, because I don't think there is homophobia in cricket.'
It is not the first time Anderson has being nude for a magazine. Joined by Stuart Broad and Alistair Cook, he appeared in Cosmopolitan with any a cricket bat to cover his modesty. It was part of the Everyman Campaign to raise male cancer awareness.
Anderson is the sixth sportsman to have made the front cover of Attitude since 1994, following Vinnie Jones, David Beckham, Ben Cohen, Freddie Ljungberg and Gareth Thomas.
The magazine's editor, Matthew Todd, praised the bowler for his decision, which he said would send a 'strong, playful signal that sportsmen can be comfortable with homosexuality among team-mates and fans.'
