Sylvester McCoy says Radagast the Brown was a ''sh**y part''.

'The Hobbit' actor - who plays the bumbling nature-loving wizard in the fantasy film - has revealed Sir Peter Jackson warned him he would be getting up close and personal with animal faeces while starring as Gandalf's eccentric ally in the 'Lord Of The Rings' prequel.

Speaking at 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' press conference in London's Claridge's hotel, Sylvester joked to BANG Showbiz: ''When Peter rang to offer me the job he said, 'There's a lot of s**t in it. It's a sh**y part.'

''I said, 'Well, someone's got to do it!', so I accepted it. I get very close to birds in the film and they leave deposits on me and I smell a lot. Very funny really.''

The former 'Doctor Who' joker was originally up for the part of the old Bilbo Baggins in the first chapter of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth epic 'The Lord Of The Rings', but although he was ''miffed'' to be snubbed at the time, he thinks the role of Radagast was worth the wait.

Sylvester explained: ''I was up for the part all those years ago and got down to the last two actors and the other was the amazing Ian Holm. I was a bit miffed but I was also delighted to be in such company.

''And then when I met Peter and his team later they said to me, 'Well maybe it's a good thing you didn't get it because we've written you a rather interesting part' ... and I think maybe they're right!' ''