Coltrane turns down West Wing role

Actor Robbie Coltrane told tonight how he missed out on a part in one of the biggest shows in the US to appear in the forthcoming Harry Potter movie.

The Scot revealed that producers of the Emmy Award-winning show The West Wing asked him to appear in the political drama starring Martin Sheen.

Coltrane said he was disappointed to turn down the offer but he enjoyed playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.

He told the Sunday Mail: “There was a very nice little part in The West Wing I couldn’t do, which kind of broke my heart.

“I’m not complaining, as jobs go there’s worse than playing Hagrid.”

The 52-year-old said he was forced to reject the role because he was filming special effects for Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, which goes on general release next month.