SAM Heughan has revealed he was snubbed by Game of Thrones seven times before landing his hit Outlander role.

While the actor was hunting for his breakthrough role he auditioned multiple times for the fantasy drama but was turned down for all of them before making it big as Jamie Fraser.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Heughan said: "I auditioned for Renly, Loras, and some of the members of the Night’s Watch. And I'd always get so close! I'd be like, 'Guys, just give me a sword!'"

The 43-year-old Scot was eventually beaten to the roles by Gethin Anthony (Renly Baratheon) and Finn Jones (Ser Loras Tyrell).

It may have actually been a stroke of luck for Heughan in the end given both the GOT characters he auditioned for didn’t get much time on screen.  

In December, the actor remarked upon a “bittersweet” ending to Outlander, with the second part of the seventh series due to be released this year.

It is likely that the eighth and final season – which will consist of 10 episodes – will follow in 2025.

He said it had been an “amazing journey” and he would be “sad to say goodbye to the ginger wig”.

Although fans will no doubt be sad that the series is approaching its conclusion, a prequel series – Blood of My Blood – is soon to begin filming in Glasgow.

Scottish actor Tony Curran has joined the cast for this series and will play Lord Lovat, the grandfather of Fraser.