Tom Hiddleston speaks openly about Taylor Swift for the first time.

After a relationship that began and ended amidst much controversy, this is a rare occasion where Tom Hiddleston opens up in detail about his fleeting romance with Taylor Swift.

Since photos of Tom Hiddleston and Taylor Swift passionately kissing on Rhode Island went viral last summer, they have become one of the most talked-about couples in the world.

One of the couple's romantic photos on Rhode Island. Photo: US Weekly

Within their first month of dating, Hiddleston and Swift quickly introduced each other to their respective families and traveled to many places around the world. But while many admired the romance of their relationship, others reacted to their somewhat ostentatious displays, even wondering if this was a genuine relationship or just a publicity stunt.

Hiddleston confirmed this to GQ: "Of course it's true."

The cover story of this magazine's March issue marks the first time the British actor has shared details about his ex-girlfriend.

"Taylor is an amazing woman," the 35-year-old star told GQ. "She's generous, kind, and lovely. We've had the best time together."

Taylor Swift met Tom Hiddleston's mother in England. Photo: ET

When she started dating Tom Hiddleston, Swift had just ended her relationship with Calvin Harris. According to the British star, it was a time when both of them were looking for a true connection.

"So we decided to go out for dinner, then travel... She's amazing," he shared, adding that living amidst a "forest" of paparazzi, staying connected isn't easy - "A relationship is always in the spotlight...".

Their romance then caused a sensation when the star of the movie Kong: Skull Island was spotted wearing a T-shirt with the words "I ♥ TS" (I love Taylor Swift) while they were on vacation with friends on American Independence Day (July 4th). Meanwhile, Swift also proactively shared pictures of herself with Hiddleston, something she rarely did with her longest-term boyfriend, Calvin Harris, and had never done with any of her previous boyfriends.

However, Hiddleston's bold "statement" was actually a coincidence.

"The truth is, on the 4th of July holiday, we were playing a game. I slipped and fell, turning my back black and blue," Tom Hiddleston shared with GQ. "I wanted to protect the bruises from the sun, so I asked around to see if anyone had a spare t-shirt, and one of my friends gave me one."

The T-shirt was once considered a declaration of love from Tom Hiddleston to Taylor Swift. Photo: E Online

"It was a joke," Hiddleston reiterated, "between friends."

For Hiddleston, the story of the shirt was also a life lesson: "I'm still trying to figure out how to protect my privacy, but not in a secretive, hidden way. I was surprised at the attention the shirt received back then."

The couple broke up just before the 2016 Emmy Awards. Taylor Swift declined to comment on the relationship, while Hiddleston said he had no regrets dating the world's most famous pop star, "because you have to fight for love. You can't live in fear of what people might say," the actor explained. "You know, you have to be honest with yourself."

According to TT&VH