Robert Pattinson has admitted that taking off his shirt in New Moon was “nerve-wracking,” and likened it to a “striptease.”

The shots of the Twilight star baring his chest on the Italian set earlier this year sent fans into a communal swoon, but the British actor says he felt a bit stupid.

"I felt pretty goofy stepping out into the sunlight in front of 2,000 people in a town square, ripping my clothes off," he told Parade.com.

"I was essentially doing a striptease."

Despite feeling over-exposed, Rob says shooting the "nerve-wracking" scene helped him understand fans' obsession with his character.

"It was also one of the moments where I've really felt closest to people's emotional attachment to Edward," he says.

"It was a moment where I've felt the whole weight of anticipation, and I guess responsibility as well, of being Edward, for all the people who were kind of so obsessed with the stories."

New Moon premiered in Los Angeles on Monday - get all the red carpet action below...