Laurence Fishburne nearly turned down his role in hit crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - because he can't stand the sight of blood.

The actor has taken on a lead role in the long-running forensics series, which regularly features gory murders and dead bodies.

But Fishburne admits he had reservations about the job, because some of the show's content makes him feel queasy. He says, "I'm not good with that stuff. They gave me a few books at the outset and I opened one of them, saw some pretty intense photos and immediately closed the book."

The Matrix star was also given the opportunity to shadow real-life crime scene investigators as part of his research, but hasn't felt able to agree to the experience.

He adds, "I have had an invitation to ride along with some CSIs in Los Angeles, but I need time to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for what those experiences will be because it's not something that most human beings do see."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)