There's more troubling news from the Shire. Martin Freeman, long rumoured to be Peter Jackson's pick to play Bilbo Baggins in the film of The Hobbit, had to turn down the role due to a scheduling clash with the BBC's hit series Sherlock, in which he plays Dr Watson.

According to Freeman's spokesman, "MGM only got a formal offer over in the last couple of weeks. It was too late for Martin because he had already signed up for another series of Sherlock. It was agonising, but he had no other choice."

It has yet to be confirmed that, following Guillermo del Toro's withdrawal, Jackson will direct The Hobbit, but the alternatives seem to be dwindling.