Coltrane to star in Frasier finale

THE actor Robbie Coltrane has landed a cameo in the last-ever episode of the cult American sitcom Frasier.

Coltrane, best known for his role as the friendly giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, has been cast as a Scottish relative of Daphne Crane - the Mancunian wife of Frasier’s brother Niles - who visits the United States for a family wedding.

The actor’s Los Angeles-based agent, Scott Henderson, said Coltrane was desperate to appear in the series, despite other filming commitments.

He said: "Robbie is a big fan of the show and we went to watch it a few years ago for fun. While there, they introduced him to the audience and asked him if he would like to do the show some time.

"He jumped at the chance and it so happened that they found a way to write him a part in the final episode. He’s having a great time."

There has been frenzied speculation over the ending of the series, which runs on Channel Four in the UK. But the show’s producers are keeping the plot of the last episode, Goodbye Seattle, under wraps.

An industry insider said:

"Robbie is friends with some of the cast, so this plot twist will be great fun for them all."