Russell Brand was turned down for a part in cult sitcom Peep Show before becoming famous, according to the show's star David Mitchell.

Mitchell said: 'Apparently Russell auditioned for the part of Super Hans before he was well known on the first series. So he was almost in it. But I bet he would be a handful now.'

It's unlikely Brand will be too jealous of Matt King, who eventually landed the role. Brand's first Hollywood movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall is released on 25 April.