Miriam Margolyes claims former co-star Robbie Coltrane put on too much weight and says she is livid about his death.
The sad news of the Harry Potter and Cracker star's passing was announced on Friday, leaving his millions of fans heartbroken. The 72-year-old, known to many as the loveable half giant Hagrid in the Potter film franchise, also appeared in James Bond films Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough.
Miriam says she is truly devastated by the news and offered a colourful tribute to him on Radio 4 this morning, writes The Mirror. And later, when fans were left in fits of giggles when she had a foul-mouthed dig at new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, listeners said pal Robbie would have loved her sweary Tory-bashing.
She said: "He was a very fine actor and a delightful man - he was huge in stature and personality and also in heart, I just feel furious that he has died, such a waste. He was exceptional and I am really sad." She added: "I didn't know he was ill. He just put on too much weight, stupid boy! He was aware of that, I used to wag my finger at him.
"It's such a waste, to think of all that talent. He was just wonderful. He had a heart of gold, he was kind and sweet. All the good things were light, but the bad things he harnessed for his work. He is irreplaceable."
Fans took to twitter to say Robbie would have loved his tribute to be hijacked by her political poke. In a statement, his agent Belinda Wright paid tribute as she announced Robbie's death.
In it, the actor's family thanked Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Scotland where he spent his final days. Robbie's agent said: "Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records’ Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV’s series Cracker in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.
"He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, a role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world, prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years."
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