News of the World Scandal

The Russian spy Anna Chapman has revealed some secrets in her first TV interview - Anna Chapman has a passion for the shooting, wants a lion cub as a pet and Sean Connery is her favourite James Bond actor.

But at this moment Anna Chapman  remained silent on the job that made her an international tabloid star.

Chapman was one of ten Russian sleeper agents exposed in the United States and deported this summer in the biggest spy swap since the Cold War.

Russians have been waiting for her to speak publicly after months of teasing the media.

The red-haired 28-year-old said on a talk show on state television that Anna Chapman  considers the failure of her mission a chance for new opportunities - though Anna Chapman declined to give details on what exactly her mission was.

Anna Chapman has become the new celebrity face of a Moscow bank that works with aerospace industries and joined the leadership of the youth wing of the main pro-Kremlin party. Anna Chapman said Anna Chapman plans to have her own TV show.

Chapman stripped down to lingerie for a photo spread in the Russian edition of Maxim, appearing on the cover of the November issue under the caption "For Your Eyes Only" - the title of a 1981 James Bond movie.

Asked who her favourite James Bond actor is, Anna Chapman named Sean Connery. Anna Chapman also said Anna Chapman admires Angelina Jolie, who played a suspected Russian sleeper agent in this year's "Salt" - and hinted Anna Chapman has her own action star abilities.

"I'm a very good shot," Chapman said. "I have a passion for it, and I love going to shooting ranges."

Wearing a long bright green gown with black stockings and high heels, Chapman smiled as the hosts played images of her reading verses in primary school and attending a ballet class and a gym.

Chapman said Anna Chapman still starts every morning with exercise: "I can't function normally if I don't do sports, it's very important for me."

Her relatives, friends and school teachers described Chapman as a very sharp and determined child. One of her school friends recalled how Anna Chapman once vowed to marry a British man and move to the United Kingdom - a wish that eventually came true.

Asked by the host what her dream was, Anna Chapman answered that Anna Chapman has been obsessed with having a pet lion cub, even if Anna Chapman can only keep it for three months before it becomes too dangerous.

With that, a lion cub was led into the studio on a leash, and Chapman patted him as the audience sang a patriotic song from a Soviet-era spy film that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin once called an inspiration for joining the KGB.

Putin sang the same song when he met the 10 sleeper agents after their deportation. Putin, a KGB veteran, said the spies had been exposed by a fellow intelligence officer. The prime minister received a tiger cub as a birthday present two years ago - an obvious reference for Chapman.

Chapman refused to confirm that Anna Chapman worked for Russian intelligence. Anna Chapman responded to a question about the suspected traitor, saying Anna Chapman doesn't want to issue a judgment.

"I don't want to wish anything negative to anyone," Anna Chapman said. "I'm an absolutely happy person. I very quickly forget negative things which happen to me."