Jamie Oliver turned down Hobbit role

Celebrity TV chef Jamie Oliver has revealed he turned down the chance to appear as a Hobbit in one of Peter Jackson's big-screen blockbusters. The culinary guru said he had been offered the role in return for flying to New Zealand in 2001 to cook at the director's 50th birthday celebrations.

“I really wanted to do it,” he revealed during filming for his new TV show. However, he went on, he was unable to accept due to work commitments.

“The worst thing that happened to me was that I got phoned up by the exec producer and asked did I want to go and cook for Peter Jackson's birthday,” he said. “And if I did, they would fly me over and I could be a hobbit in the film. But I was working; I couldn't get out of it.”

Oliver's non-appearance has not stopped the Hobbit films racking up epic box office returns around the globe. “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”, the third and final installment in Jackson's fantasy saga released last week, held off war drama “Unbroken” and “Into the Woods” to retain the top spot at US and Canada box offices.

Source: BBC