Games of Thrones star James Cosmo made honorary colonel

Games of Thrones star James Cosmo has become an honorary colonel of an army unit – after an acting career playing soldiers.

James, 73, said he was delighted to take up the position representing the 7th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS), based in Perth.

He’s famous for his role as lord commander of the Night Watch in Games of Thrones and commanding officer of The King’s Fusiliers in hit TV show Soldier Soldier.

The Scots actor was approached to take up the role after showing an interest in the military during his acting career.

@7SCOTS, are proud to announce that @MrJamesCosmo has been appointed the Honorary Colonel of the #Perth based #ArmyReserve Battalion. Col James, performs a Burns poem for us here – “A Man’s A Man” #BurnsNight2021 #BurnsNightIn #BurnsDay #Burns #Burns2021 #BurnsBigNightIn pic.twitter.com/5Wm328JPXo
— The Army in Scotland (@ArmyScotland) January 25, 2021

As a figurehead James will represent the unit within both civilian and military communities.

The unit is looking forward to welcoming James and said he will love being the boss of the “real army of the north”.

Lieutenant colonel Duncan Mackinnon, commanding officer of 7 SCOTS, said: “We are truly delighted that Colonel James has accepted this appointment.

“We are really looking forward to having him visit, when restrictions allow, and meet his Battalion to see what we do.

“I have spoken with him on several occasions, and I am really struck by his sense of duty and desire to help raise the profile of the Battalion and the role Reservists play in the Army and society.”

Private Andy McLean, of 7 SCOTS, added: “Everyone in the Battalion thinks it’s great news – he was lord commander of the Night’s Watch and now he gets to be the boss of the real army of the north.

“We’re clearly much better and he’ll love being part of our battalion.”