Removed wallpaper, painted wall beneath covered in tiny cracks

[gap]

I've stripped the wallpaper off a large wall and was pleased to find the previously painted beneath wall is perfectly smooth and flat. Unfortunately it is covered in tiny hairline cracks. See photo. A coat of white emulsion didn't seem to fill the cracks at all.
Apart from this the wall is good so I don't want to get it skimmed. I'm also not a fan of lining paper, so I wonder if there is a way to fill these hairline cracks without too much sanding etc.
Is this a common problem? Perhaps I could use some dort of thick here some emulsion?
Many thanks

 

[footprints]

Probably why it was papered in the first place
You can try Polycell Basecoat that might help. http://www.polycell.co.uk/product/polycell-3-in-1-basecoat/
It will certainly improve the look but I suggest you try one wall before doing the lot.

 

[gap]

Oh, paint with a bit of polyfilla in it. That sounds like it might just do the job!
Thanks very much, I'll pick up a tin from B&Q. I see that Wicks do an own brand one (https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Colour-@-Home-Basecoat-Emulsion-Paint---White-5L/p/122435). I think I'll stump up the extra £5 and get the Polycell.
Will report back.

 

[gap]

Probably why it was papered in the first place
You can try Polycell Basecoat that might help. http://www.polycell.co.uk/product/polycell-3-in-1-basecoat/

Thanks again footprints. That product took care of the hairline cracks very nicely - here is an 'after' photo. Didn't do anything to fix larger defects, these needed to be filled and sanded, but there were only a few of these to deal with.

 

[footprints]

Glad it's fixed it, thanks for the update