English actor Rupert Grint has paid an emotional tribute to Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane who passed away on October 14, aged 72.

Robbie Coltrane started his career as a stand-up comic before venturing into films and eventually portraying the iconic Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series. Grint, who played Ronald Weasley, one of the leads of the film series, shared a special bond with Coltrane.

In a heartfelt post on his Instagram account, Grint 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.”

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He continued, “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.”

Rupert Grint and Robbie Coltrane were last seen together in Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, a TV Special of the film series that premiered on January 1 this year. The special marked 20 years since the series’ first installment, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Other stars of the film series – Emma Watson, Tom Felton, and Daniel Radcliffe also paid their respects to the late actor.

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Emma Watson, who played the role of the brainy Hermione Granger in Harry Potter was one of the first to pay her respects on social media, stating Coltrane was the fun uncle she never had. She wrote, “Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory. ” Daniel Radcliffe, who played the lead in the movies, said in a statement that Robbie was one of the funniest people he had met. He added that he felt extremely fortunate to have got to meet and work with him.