Robbie Coltrane: 'Harry Potter fans don't know me'

Robbie Coltrane has admitted that he appreciates the "anonymity" he receives as Hagrid in the Harry Potter series.

The actor revealed that he does not usually get recognised by fans because of the costume he wears when in the role of Rubeus Hagrid, gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.

"Because I'm bearded up as Hagrid, kids generally don't recognise me," Coltrane told TV & Satellite Week magazine. "I very much appreciate that anonymity - especially when you see what happens to Alan Rickman, who plays Snape. He gets kids hissing at him in airports!"

However, the 61-year-old confessed: "But when kids do recognise me, they go all doe-eyed, which is great."

Discussing the popularity of JK Rowling's seven-book series, Coltrane said that he believes they have been successful because the British author has "not made them fashionable or trendy".

"No-one is playing on the Wii or listening to an iPod. The stories are about friendship and trying to be true to yourself and be popular - the stuff we all go through as teenagers," he said.

Coltrane will reprise his role as Hagrid in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which opens in cinemas next month.

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Watch the final Harry Potter trailer below: