Model David Gandy, who shot to fame wearing just his underpants in a Dolce & Gabbana campaign in 2006, was offered the chance to play Christian Grey in Fifty Shades Of Grey.
But in an interview with Square Mile magazine, the former Gloucestershire University student said that while he respects the film, the role - now played by Jamie Dornan - wouldn't have been right for him.
He said: "Critics and literary experts aren't fans but I respect it for what it is. But was it right for me? No. It just didn't feel right, in any way. And in my gut, it felt right to say no."
The hugely successful model, who is currently the co-designer and face of a new M&S campaign, revealed that he has been offered, and subsequently refused, several lead roles in box office hits.
"I was offered Fifty Shades Of Grey, 300:2, Hercules, which a lot of people probably would have taken as actors but I'm in the fortunate position where I like what I'm doing. I don't feel the need to act," he said.
