Game of Thrones season 6's Ian McShane: 'I bring back a much-loved character everybody thinks is dead'

'It’s not the latter, it might be the former.'

During an appearance on BBC Breakfast this week, new season cast member Ian McShane said: “Game of Thrones, that’s one I can’t talk about.”

He then proceeded to do so anyway, dropping a huge spoiler in the process.

“I can give you one hint: My character is an ex-warrior who’s become a peacenik… I bring back a much-loved character everybody thinks is dead.”

This would seem to confirm the fan theory that he is playing Septon Meribald, a character from George R. R. Martin’s A Feast for Crows.

Ploughing on with his spoilerific BBC tour, McShane later appeared on Radio 5 and elaborated on exactly who he will be bringing back.

“I have nursed a much-loved character back to life,” he explained. When the host pointed out that he could only be referring to The Hound or Jon Snow, he replied: “It’s not the latter, it might be the former.”

Arya left The Hound 'for dead' in season 5

Given it’s Melisandre who is expected to spearhead Jon Snow’s assumed resurrection, Sandor Clegane aka The Hound would certainly seem to make sense.

This is fantastic news, with the The Hound in my opinion being a far more entertaining character than Jon.

The Hound actor Rory McCann was spotted on the season 6 set last year, though not all suited up like Kit Harington was.

We’ll find out exactly just how dead everyone is when Game of Thrones returns on 24 April.