Rufus Hound has said he wouldn’t go back to Celebrity Juice because it “isn’t for me anymore”.

The comedian, actor and real ale enthusiast was a regular panellist on Keith Lemon’s outrageous ITV2 show between 2009 and 2012, before he left to pursue his acting career.

Rufus revealed: “I don’t really miss it and I wouldn’t go back, which makes it sound like I’ve got some massive problem with it. But I really don’t. Those guys were always a lot more heavily invested than I was and like with most jobs there comes a time when you go ‘I think I might want to do something else’.

Celebrity Juice
Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton are the team captains on Keith Lemon’s Celebrity Juice (ITV)

“It was not doing that, that allowed me to do One Man Two Governors, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Neville’s Island, and film Doctor Who, and if I was still doing Juice then I just wouldn’t be able to commit to do those things.

“So I wish them all the best with that show and I know they are all still loving it and good for them, I haven’t ever fallen out with people on that show. I think you get to a point where you’re like this isn’t for me any more.”

The 36-year-old funnyman recently embarked on a quest to chart the history of real ale, and Rufus admits while he loves ale, he does worry about getting a beer belly.

He said: “Three times a week I try to go for a 5k run and really the only thing I am doing when running is thinking well this is another pint I can have. Nothing will get you to the finish line more than knowing that a pint is waiting for you.”

Rufus is really exicted about appearing in Doctor Who as new character Sam Swift later this year.

Rufus Hound loves real ale (Jon Furniss/Invision)
Rufus Hound loves real ale (Jon Furniss/Invision)

He revealed: “I was in the pub drinking a pint of proper beer when I found out and it really was one of those kinds of punch the air moments.

“I’ve actually filmed my bit now and it was just everything I dreamt it would be to be honest, so when that comes out in October I’m hoping people like what I did in it and I’m hoping they like it so much that some sort of campaign is mounted so that I can regularly be on it.”