Mixed reaction to first Fifty Shades of Grey photo

The first picture of Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey has been released. Photo/Facebook

His path to landing the role of Fifty Shades Of Grey's Christian Grey wasn't the smoothest, with Jamie Dornan only being cast after first choice Charlie Hunnam dropped out.

But the 32-year-old actor has settled comfortably into the part, as the first official picture of him as the bondage loving billionaire shows.

The image - released to celebrate the fictional character's birthday - shows Dornan smouldering at the camera as the leather jacket clad hunk sits behind the wheel of Grey's Audi R8 and gives fans a taste of what they can expect with the release of the movie on February 13 next year.

The poster for the flick - based on the saucy book series by EL James - previously showed Dornan in a suit with his back to the camera, but this is the first time fans have seen the character's face in the promotional material.

Reaction to the picture was mixed with many disappointed fans commenting on the movie's Facebook page.

Sherry Costello wrote: "That's NOT Christian! Yeah, I'll just stick to the books & keep him the way I want him , not some Hollywood d****e!"

Ruta Dikgogodi Senoge added: "Very much disappointed at the choice of actor to play Christian Grey. ..This is so so not him!!!Super bad choice....somaar lost interest in watching the movie....I will stick to my lovely 3 books."

Nico DeMauro wrote: "He just isnt sexy enough to pull this off!" and Margarita Pacheco moaned: "Ughhh I rather just read the books and picture Charlie hunnam aka jax doing it sorry but this guy in the picture is not sexy at all."

However there were many some positive reactions too with @THysteria tweeting: "I lost my ovaries because of the @JamieDornan1's picture from Fifty Shades Of Grey" and @Bomerbabe_Mixer gushing: "@JamieDornan_org Looking good and the look in his eyes *faints*."

@FiftyLover2014 excitedly tweeted: "@FiftyShades looooving the new official still of @JamieDornan1 as Mr Grey!! #amazing #excitedmuch."

And @purple_witch wrote "I . AM . DROOLING. #ChristianGrey looks HOT! jamie-dornan-forever: @JamieDornan1 as Christian."

Sons Of Anarchy star Hunnam made a quick exit and departed from the project just one month after being announced as the leading male.

But it wasn't long before Jamie stepped in with author EL James taking to Twitter to welcome him to "#TeamFifty".

"Stow your twitchy palms ladies... our man is here," she wrote last October. "Welcome to #TeamFifty @JamieDornan1 x."

Jamie stars opposite Dakota Johnson, who is playing his leading lady Anastasia Steele.

While Dakota's innocent looks give her the perfect appearance for the role of the innocent young woman who enters into a submissive relationship with Christian, she previously insisted she isn't worried about the graphic sex scenes in the movie because she "has no shame".

Speaking to US Elle magazine, she said: "I don't have any problem doing anything. The secret is I have no shame."

Fifty Shades Of Grey is the first book in a three part series - it's followed by Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

- Daily Mail