Ex-rugby star Thom Evans: 'I auditioned for 'Fifty Shades of Grey' role'

Former rugby player Thom Evans has revealed that he auditioned for the role of Christian Grey in the upcoming film Fifty Shades of Grey.

Irish actor Jamie Dornan was eventually chosen as the lead character for the movie, which is based on the erotic novel written by E.L James.

However, Evans, who appeared on the recent BBC series of Strictly Come Dancing, has admitted that he too wanted to play the main character.

"I actually went up for Jamie's role of Christian Grey," Evans told Attitude magazine.

"The audition was pretty tame to be honest, but it was a great experience for me. It's such a huge project and I'd be lying to say I wouldn't have loved to have got the role."

Evans's profile away from sport has grown over the years due to his previous celebrity relationships with model Kelly Brook and American actress Jessica Lowndes.