No doubt you've seen our front cover of a shirtless Tom Hardy that sent the internet into meltdown last month. Little did we know, however, that transforming his body for roles has left it "damaged" according to the Taboo star.

The 39-year-old actor was pretty slim during his early career in films such as Layer Cake and HBO's Band of Brothers, but as his career burgeoned, so did his muscles.

He was asked to bulk up to play Charles Bronson, an MMA fighter in Warrior and Bane in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises. Still the actor feels his brutal training might have scarred him for life.

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Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

Speaking to The Daily Beast, the Mad Max star said that his new mobster role might mean he'll have to pack on the pounds, explaining: "It's not the classic Al Capone that you necessarily envision with the silhouette.

"I don't want to give too much away about it, but there's definitely a transformation with that role.

"I don't know if it's as drastic as Bane. I've probably damaged my body too much. I'm only little. If I keep putting on weight I'll collapse like a house of cards under too much pressure."

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Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

Tom, who recently discussed his chances of playing James Bond, blamed the fluctuations between different weights for his new aches and pains.

He continued: "After the film I'm tired, and you maybe have to change your shape again and go back to your normal size for the next film. To go from one extreme to another has a cost.

"I'm certainly a bit achier than I used to be... I certainly have joints that click that probably shouldn't click, you know what I mean? And carrying my children is a little bit harder than it used to be — but don't tell them."

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Bear Grylls//Digital Spy

Tom, who has a son named Louis from former girlfriend Rachael Speed and another from his wife Charlotte Riley, took some time out from getting naked and piling on muscle to read the bedtime story on CBeebies at the end of last year. Bless.

From: Digital Spy