Hugh Hefner has said Lindsay Lohan's Playboy cover was intended as a new beginning for her.

The troubled former child star - who is currently on probation for a drink driving conviction - posed for a Marilyn Monroe-themed cover for the magazine's January/February issue.

Hugh said of the Lindsay’s shoot:

"Historically, Playboy pictorials are connected to celebrities at various times in their career.

"Sometimes it's the beginning of their career and sometimes it comes at a particular moment - as with Lindsay - that is intended as a turnaround."

Hefner said he hoped "this is a born-again beginning for Lindsay. I think there's a rooting interest for her."

And Hefner admitted even he had had his reservations about putting the actress on the cover at first.

He explained: "The concept came from my editors.

"I had mixed emotions to begin with. I could not have anticipated, quite frankly, that it would turn out to be such a sensational newsworthy event, or that the pictorial would turn out so well."

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