Mickey Rourke drops out of his dream biopic role as rugby star Gareth Thomas

The Wrestler star Mickey Rourke has finally saw sense and realised that at 59 years old, he has no hope of portraying Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas in a biopic role.

The prospect of bringing the story of the 37-year-old sportsman, who famously announced in 2009 that he was gay, has long been a pet project of Rourke, who shaved his head and began training for the role.

"I was talking to Mickey yesterday and basically we're now talking to other big-name actors who could play the part instead, Gareth told The Sun.

"We had talked about using computer-generated special effects with Mickey but we don't think that will be as realistic, so it's time to find someone new."

Rouke had gone to huge lengths in order to prepare for the role, even at one point suggested that he would have his front teeth surgically removed to help affect a Welsh accent.

However, the actor had admitted that time was catching up to him, stating recently: "The physical thing is harder than I thought. I'm just trying to get fit enough to do it."

With a new, age appropriate star set to be announced, let's just hope that the filmmakers choose to portray Gareth's glittering rugby union career for Wales and the Crusaders, rather than last year's sting alongside Jedward in the Celebrity Big Brother house.