"It [Harry Potter] was big budget, great production values, the job went on for nine months on and off and a nice character [Barty Crouch Senior] to play - something to get my teeth into. It was a big production and there aren't many films made like that, certainly in this country.

"It was a good crack, it’s just a pity he had to die really.

"I'd read the first book as my children were appropriate ages for Potter when he first came out. I did see all the films – I always prefer the films to the books to be honest with you.

"It was a fantastic set. There were dozens of workmen working for weeks on that set, it was stunning and it was thrilling to do those scenes," he added.