Billy Boyd didn't make any money on LOTRs

LORD Of The Rings star Billy Boyd has revealed he never made a penny from appearing in the blockbuster movie.

The Scot played a hairy-footed hobbit in the Tolkien trilogy which smashed box office records around the world.

But despite becoming a household name by appearing in the films, he says the role failed to boost his bank balance.

Billy - who is rehearsing for his forthcoming role in The Proclaimers musical Sunshine On Leith - said: "I don't have any money.

"We were unknown actors - we did it for peanuts and for food."

The Glasgow-born 41-year-old played Pippin in the Middle Earth fantasy flicks.

It turned him into a Hollywood favourite and he became friends with fellow stars Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan and Orlando Bloom.

But he admitted he realised his career would probably go downhill after the Lord Of The Rings films.

Billy said: "Christopher Lee said it was the biggest thing he had ever done, and he has made more films than any other actor so you can't go anywhere from it.

"I think once you get that in your head, that you're not going to do anything bigger, you just do things that you enjoy, which has always been my ethos anyway.

"Rather than thinking, 'If I do this, and in five years I'll be where I want to be', you're better just doing something that makes you happy now."

Billy has been busy preparing for The Proclaimers stage show, which opens in Dundee later this month.

He plays Davy, a soldier returning to Leith with his best pal Ally after one tour too many of Afghanistan.

The actor told No.1 magazine: "I'm looking forward to it - it's been a while since I've been on stage."

He told how he is a huge fan of The Proclaimers - and revealed Hollywood A-lister Russell Crowe also loves the pop twins.

He was invited by his Master And Commander co-star to a karaoke bash attended by a string of stars.

Billy said: "Wherever you go in the world, people love their songs. Oh Jean is my party piece.

"In fact, Russell Crowe once phoned me up to see if I wanted to go to a party but I had to bring my guitar and perform Oh Jean."