Rob Lowe is still not over losing the lead in Footloose to Kevin Bacon

Rob Lowe is still not over losing the lead role of Ren McCormack in 'Footloose' to Kevin Bacon.

The 59-year-old actor was left gutted when his knee "exploded" trying to nail a key dance move in the 1984 musical classic.

The producers then decided they needed to hire a professional dancer, only to cast Kevin Bacon, 65, a week later.

He told USA Today: "The thing that's awful about it was, I was the guy. I was going to get this part. I just had to do the dance, which was to a Styx song, by the way. Not helpful. But it ended with that drop-to-your-knees slide across the floor. My knee just exploded. They took me out on a stretcher. As they were wheeling me out, the producers were like, 'We're going have to get a real professional dancer.' A week into my rehab, I read they cast Kevin Bacon. That's when I learned what Hollywood was about."

To add insult to injury, Kevin told him he didn't stand a chance of landing the role.

Asked if Kevin is "thankful", Rob replied: "There are two ways I've been very helpful to other actors' careers. Blowing out my knee really helped Kevin Bacon, and turning down 'Grey's Anatomy' really helped Patrick Dempsey. I spoke to Kevin about it. He told me, 'You wouldn't have gotten it, anyway.'"

Meanwhile, Rob previously admitted he is “grateful” for everything that has happened in his life.

The 'West Wing’ star struggled with addiction issues in the 1980s, but after being clean for more than three decades, he has “no regrets” about his wild past and admitted he was ready to move on and lead a quieter family life.

He told PEOPLE magazine: "I'm happy I lived the life that I lived because I have no regrets, but I was super ready to coach Little League, carve pumpkins on Halloween, read books and serve hot lunch on Wednesdays. Up until I turned 26, I spent all my time investing in my career.

"From 26 on, I've invested in me; my spirituality, my recovery, my marriage, my family. A lot of it has been, excuse me, f—ing hard. And no one has a perfect life... but I'm grateful for all of it."