Fans demand Big Yin get wizard role

Hundreds of Harry Potter fans have demanded Billy Connolly be given a role in the next Hogwarts movie.

They reckon the comic would be perfect as Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody, a catcher of dark wizards badly scarred from a career battling evil.

More than 200 people have already signed an online petition to film-makers Warner Bros calling on him to be cast in the fourth movie, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.

The website needcoffee.com, which is behind the petition, says the Big Yin's grizzled looks make him ideal for the part.

A spokesman said, "We maintain it's the only sensible casting for the role"

Conolly is best known in the States for his starring role in the ill-fated Head Of The Class, but the petition organisers are urging fans to forget that, and watch him opposite Dame Judi Dench in Mrs Brown insead.

Comments from those who have signed the petition, include: and "perfect casting", " fantastic ­ he's an underground legend and a very sellable commodity" and "his voice suits the role as well - controlled but with a hint of humour and lunacy".

Published: 16 Nov 2003