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

Rupert Grint has opened up about the effect Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane's passing had on him.

Robbie Coltrane passed away on 14 October, 2022 at the age of 72.

The actor was best known and much loved for his role as iconic half-giant, half-human gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid.

Grint worked closely alongside Coltrane, viewing him and the likes of Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape) and Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore in the first two movies) as family.

Despite this, Grint didn't attend Coltrane's funeral, however, the 34-year-old has since spoken out about the reasons why.

Coltrane, alongside Rickman and Harris were like 'uncles or grandparents' to Grint who grew up on the set of the Harry Potter franchise, aged just 12 years old in the first movie.

"They all had this kind of subconscious presence in my life," Grint told GQ.

Grint noted the trio 'weren't the kind of people to sit you down and give you a formal talk, or dispense advice,' but that he simply 'loved being around them and observing them'.

The connection between Grint and some of his elder co-stars even extended further than just the franchise too, the actor explaining Rickman came to see him perform in It's Only A Play in 2014 - Grint's Broadway debut.

Coltrane's passing was 'particularly tough' for Grint. "He really was the most wonderful being," Grint reflected.

While deeply affected by the loss of the actor, Grint noted he doesn't 'claim to know him outside work' which is why he didn't go to Coltrane's funeral.

Instead, Grint paid tribute to Coltrane via Instagram.

He wrote: "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 of 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."

In HBO Max's Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts in celebration of the franchise's 20-year anniversary, Coltrane reflected on the movies coming to an end: "It's the end of an era. Ten years of my life. My children have grown up during it.

"The legacy of the movies is that my children's generation will show them to their children... So you could be watching it in 50 year's time, easily... I'll not be here, sadly... but Hagrid will, yes."

Despite not being here, I'm sure all fans would agree Hagrid will carry Coltrane's memory with him too.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677