(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Simon Pegg has described Martin Freeman as an anti-nerd.

The British actors are good pals, and have both had successful careers in the movie industry.

Martin was recently announced to be playing lead character Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jacksons upcoming movie The Hobbit, an adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkiens fantasy book. Simon is thrilled for his friend, although he thinks many peoples perception of Martin as a geeky guy is incorrect.

Hes so the anti-nerd. He likes his Stax records, and his Sta-Prest [trousers] hes a Mod! laughed Simon in an interview with Empire magazine.

Because Simon considers Martin to be a cool character, hes rather surprised the star is going to appear in a movie which some people consider to be nerdy. He believes Simon is following in the footsteps of iconic British actor Sir Ian Holm.

He takes the mickey out of me for my sci-fi ways, and now hes playing one of the most iconic characters [in the fantasy genre]... But I think hes great. Like a young Ian Holm, beamed Simon. (C) Cover Media