Tennant denies Hobbit rumours

Rex Features

David Tennant has denied that he will play the lead role in The Hobbit.

The Doctor Who actor was tipped online as a potential choice - alongside Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy – to portray Bilbo Baggins in Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien book.

He told MTV: "The Internet is a curious place, isn't it? I think someone sits in their bedroom in Saskatchewan and comes up with an idea and they post it. And within minutes it's around the world and I'm getting phoned up by journalists and friends of mine saying, 'When are you off to shoot with Guillermo [del Toro]?'

"It's not something I know anything about. No one's talked with me."

Tennant also suggested that the rumour may be false, due to his height, adding: "I'm a bit tall, aren't I? I know they do things with CGI now, but I'm 6'1. Hobbits are little. I do have quite hairy toes, though."

The 38-year-old recently joined the cast of the cast of the St Trinian’s sequel as the villainous Pomfrey.