Los Angeles, Sep 11 (IANS): Actor Charlie Hunnam says the fact that he quit erotic romantic drama franchise "Fifty Shades of Grey", in which he was offered to play Christian Grey, still haunts him.

He has called it "the worst professional experience of my life".

Hunnam showed off his toned body in the new issue of V Man magazine, to which he also revealed the real reason why he backed out of the role, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"It was the most emotionally destructive and difficult thing that I've ever had to deal with professionally. It was heartbreaking," he said.

Hunnam said it was not the sexual content of the film that drew him away but rather his commitment to Guillermo del Toro's "Crimson Peak". The 35-year-old had to choose between the two films, but he had already promised del Toro.

"I'd given Guillermo my word, over a year before, that I was going to do this film. People were saying, 'Are you crazy? Guillermo still has got four months to recast, it's the fourth lead, you can go and do this (instead).' I said, 'I can't. He's my friend',” he said.

“I was going to finish 'Sons'... fly to Vancouver the next day, have ten days of rehearsal, and then start shooting. Then I was going to have three days after that and I'd have to start shooting 'Crimson Peak' and then I'd have two days to travel and go back into season 7 of 'Sons',” he added.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, “Fifty Shades of Grey” released on February 13. The film starred Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in lead roles.