Rupert Grint explains why he didn’t go to Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane’s funeral

Rupert Grint has revealed why he didn’t attend Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane’s funeral despite the close bond they built up while working together for 10 years.

Coltrane, who played half-giant, half-human gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid, died on 14 October 2022 of multiple organ failure, aged 72.

Grint first met Cotrane when he was 12 years old and said that he regarded him and the likes of Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape) and Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore in the first two movies) as family.

According to an interview with Grint in GQ, the trio “all had this kind of subconscious presence in my life”.

Coltrane’s passing was “particularly tough” for Grint, who described the actor as “the most wonderful being”.

However, Grint said he did not know Coltrane “outside work”, so opted to not go to his funeral and instead paid tribute to his friend online.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote at the time: “Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone. I’ll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue – a wonderful combination.

“No one else on this planet could have played Hagrid, only Robbie.

“Just as Hagrid was in the books and films, Robbie was in life – warm, compassionate and hilarious. A giant hearted man who was still looking out for us even decades later. Sending love to his family. See you on the other side Bobser.”