Frontman of Manchester band Elbow Guy Garvey turns down 'gladiatorial ringmaster' role in Game of Thrones

Frontman of Manchester band Elbow has revealed how he had to turn down a role in Game of Thrones, because of commitments to touring with his band.

Guy Garvey, 41, said he was offered the part of a "gladiatorial ringmaster" in the bloody fantasy drama.

He said he had to say no to the offer because the group was touring in Australia.

The band leader also said he has also had to put a book he started writing on hold.

Garvey also revealed he's been in a studio recording solo material, with his album called Courting the Squall out in October.

It's not the first time he's been linked to appear in Game of Thrones, following in the footsteps of Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody, Sigur Ros, Coldplay drummer Will Champion and Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson.

In 2014, he told the Telegraph: "Game of Thrones would be the fun thing to do. Some of my contemporaries have done it already.

"But my thinking is, I do not want to be a minstrel. Can I be beheaded or something, so I can keep my plaster-cast head?'"