James McAvoy has denied a claim that he could play Jimmy Savile on the big screen.

Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh told the Radio Times that McAvoy told him that he would play Savile if Welsh ever penned a script about the sex predator.

The pair worked together on new film Filth, which also stars Jim Broadbent and Jamie Bell, and is based on Welsh's "unfilmable" third book.

But McAvoy's spokeswoman said: "James did not make that statement. He has never expressed interest in playing the role of Jimmy Savile."

Welsh told the Radio Times that while making Filth, he discussed the subject of sexual abuse with X-Men star McAvoy, who apparently told him he would play Savile.