Emma Thompson explains why she will not do Love Actually 2

Last week it was revealed that popular film Love Actually would be getting a mini sequel for Comic Relief, with some of our favourite characters returning.

It has now been confirmed that Emma Thompson will not be taking part in Love Actually 2 due to the sad loss of her co-star Alan Rickman.

Writer-director Richard Curtis did consider writing in a storyline for Karen without Harry, but ultimately decided that it wouldn't be right.

Speaking about the upcoming mini sequel to the Press Association, Emma said:

"Richard wrote to me and said, 'Darling, we can't write anything for you because of Alan', and I said, 'no of course, it would be sad, too sad.'"

Emma Thompson © Getty Images

"It's too soon. It's absolutely right because it's supposed to be for Comic Relief – but there isn't much comic relief in the loss of our dear friend really, only just over a year ago."

"We thought and thought but it just seemed wrong... to revisit the wonderful fun characters of Bill Nighy and Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson and all of that, that's fantastic – but obviously what would he Richard Curtis have done?"

"It was absolutely the right decision."

Despite Emma not returning, most of the other cast have already started filming including, Hugh Grant (the Prime Minister), Keira Knightley (Juliette), Lucia Moniz (Aurelia), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Sam), Liam Neesen (Daniel), (Olivia Olson (Joanna), Bill Nighy (Billy), Marcus Brigstocke (Mikey), and Rowan Atkinson (Rufus).

Check out all of the photos of the cast filming below:

The 10-minute mini sequel will be broadcast as part of Red Nose Day UK, on the 24th March 2017.