Liz Hurley: Why I should never have worn THAT dress

IT WAS the daring safety-pinned number that made Elizabeth Hurley famous worldwide — but now she says it was more of a curse than a blessing.

Hugh Grant couldn’t take his eyes off her — and neither could the rest of the world.

Elizabeth Hurley suggests her career may have taken a more serious turn had she not worn the famous Versace safety-pin dress that captured the world’s attention.

Hurley became an overnight sensation when she appeared alongside her then boyfriend Hugh Grant wearing the infamous black evening gown for the premiere of Four Weddings and A Funeral in 1994. The plunging Versace dress was held together by oversized gold safety pins, leaving little the imagination.

But the actor, who since appeared in a number of Hollywood films including Austin Powers, has suggested her career may have been different if she dressed more demurely for the event.

“One of my favourite concepts in life is that of sliding doors,” she told The Mail on Sunday’s You magazine.

Hurley with the dress that made her world-famous. Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images

“It is interesting to think about the better or worse outcomes had you not had that particular moment.

“From an acting point of view, who knows? I guess it could have been different. Perhaps I could have joined the National Theatre and become a much more worthy actor.”

Hurley is currently starring as Queen Helena in the US drama The Royals.

The 50-year-old Brit split with Aussie spin king Shane Warne two years ago, and says the pair won’t rekindle their romance in the future — but that she is more like Warne than any of her other ex-boyfriends.

“I got on with him incredibly well,” she says.

They had a lot in common, but these two won’t be getting back together.

“I am far more similar to Shane than the other big loves of my life.

“We were extremely comfortable with each other.”

Hurley, who is single, said the pair lived identical lives, as they were both used to being on the road, impossible schedules and being breadwinners.

“We were both in the public eye. I mean, in his field he was more successful than me because he was an absolute superstar. But I have never had a day off sick in my entire life, and it’s the same with him,” she said.

“You can’t not play for Australia because you have a headache. Forget about it.

“Sport is a sort of show business. It’s your son’s birthday, but you have to get on a flight to Bombay. So you go.”

However, she dismisses a romantic rekindling with Warne is on the cards.

“You never say never. But no, I think we are both set on our new courses in life. Total friends,” she said.

“I went to see a match of his in LA recently, and then the next day he came to see me.

“I had a girlfriend with me who has always spent time with us and the three of us just lay in my bed and laughed for a few hours. We still get on brilliantly.”

Could Hurley have become the next Dame Jude Dench had she not worn that Versace frock? Picture: Getty

Originally published as Liz Hurley: Why I should never have worn THAT dress