Elbow frontman Guy Garvey has revealed how he had to turn down a role in Game of Thrones, due to the band's touring commitments.

The 41-year-old singer said he was offered the part of a "gladiatorial ringmaster" in the bloodthirsty fantasy drama, but had to pass it up because the group were touring in Australia.

He told BBC6's Shaun Keaveny: "I couldn't star in Game of Thrones even though they offered me a part because the band were touring in Australia when it happened.

"I saw it and the guy that eventually did it was very good, so I'm glad they got him. But I was supposed to be the gladiatorial ringmaster that fought - I can't remember the name of the characters - the guy that says Khaleesi, like that."

Garvey also said he has started a book but put it on hold. He has also been recording solo material, with his album called Courting the Squall out in October.

He previously said he would like 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.

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

"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?'"