CHARLIE HUNNAM - HUNNAM CREDITS FAILED MARRIAGE FOR HELPING HIM FIND FAME

Rising star CHARLIE HUNNAM credits his doomed marriage to KATHARINE TOWNE as a major factor in helping him secure movie success - because her father is one of Hollywood's premier screenwriters.

The British ABANDON hunk - who divorced his wife in 2002, following a four-year union - accepts that becoming part of "Hollywood royalty" ROBERT TOWNE's family made the transition from UK TV actor to movie star easier.

He says of his relationship with sexy Katharine, "We met at an audition for DAWSON'S CREEK and bonded over our mutual distress at being there in the first place.

"We were mortified to find ourselves chasing that sort of job. Neither of us got the part, so we needn't have worried. But we fell in love and married in 1999.

"Her father is like Hollywood royalty, so I have to admit that it did get me noticed."