Game of Thrones: George R R Martin turned down cameo to write his next novel 'The Winds of Winter'

Author says he decided against travelling to Belfast to appear in the eighth and final season

George R R Martin refused to make a cameo in the final season of Game of Thrones so that he could focus on another part of his work that he felt was more pressing.

The author told Entertainment Weekly that showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss invited him to Belfast in order to film the appearance, but that he ended up turning down the offer.

Martin, who is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, wanted to dedicate his time to writing his novel The Winds of Winter, the next instalment in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, on which Game of Thrones is based.

“David and Dan invited me to a cameo in one of the final episodes, which I was tempted to do,” Martin said.

“But I didn’t think just for the sake of a cameo I could take the time to return to Belfast.”

Martin said that he originally had a cameo in the first Game of Thrones pilot, but that the episode was reshot and his appearance was cut.

Almost eight years have passed since the last instalment in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Dance with Dragons, was published.

Another novel titled A Dream of Spring is planned to follow up on The Winds of Winter.

Game of Thrones, meanwhile, is set to end with its eighth season, which will debut in April and wrap up in May.