[Iceman]

Rob Kazinsky has revealed that "a health issue" prompted him to leave the cast of The Hobbit.

The former EastEnders actor had been cast as dwarf Fili in the Lord of the Rings prequels, but his departure was confirmed by director Peter Jackson on his official Facebook account yesterday.

Writing on Twitter, Kazinsky noted that a health problem is the reason he quit his role in the J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation.

"Thanks for all your support, Peter and team have been the most wonderful and supportive team to work for and it's with a truly sad heart that things have turned out this way," he wrote.

"The Hobbit will go on to be as great as i've seen and I will miss the family and friends that i've here, From every disaster i've tried to make an opportunity. "john d rokerfeller"(sic)"

Martin Freeman will lead the cast of The Hobbit, which sees series stars Sir Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood and Ian Holm reprising their roles from the original trilogy.

[Shaun]

I'm uh...I'm just uh...wow...lost for words.

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I'm uh...I'm just uh...wow...lost for words.

I wonder who'll take his place though.....

[Patrick]

He needs to come back to EastEnders.

[Tom4784]

It must have been something significant to give up such a major project.

[Smithy]

He's 6ft tall how could he play a dwarf

[Locke.]

Well he is never gonna get a part in a movie as big as this, so it must have been something important...

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Smithy

He's 6ft tall how could he play a dwarf

Well I hardly think Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom could pass for hobbits and elves but it's a movie, they use special effects.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Locke.

Well he is never gonna get a part in a movie as big as this, so it must have been something important...

Well... uh, he did.

[Locke.]

Stop being an asshole you know what I mean.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Locke.

Stop being an asshole you know what I mean.

Actually, I don't. If you mean he'll never get another opportunity like this again, you may be right but the casting directors obviously thought he was good enough so no doubt he'll be able to find another role.

It's a little bit fishy the story though because Peter Jackson says they're filming the two part film over the next 2-3 years and they're holding off the dwarf scenes for a few months until they find a new actor. So, why couldn't he rejoin the cast in a few months when he's sorted.