Bret McKenzie is best known for being one part of "New Zealand's fourth most popular folk-rock act", Flight Of The Conchords.

Keen-eyed Lord Of The Rings fans might also know him for his potrayal of the elf Figwit, complete with long sleek black hair – and most worryingly, no beard.

Speaking to Bret about his role as music-wrangler for The Muppets recently, we also talked to him about his return to Middle Earth for The Hobbit and putting on his pointy ears once more.

"It was in Wellington so I could pretty much walk to work. It’s still a small part — I did a couple of days earlier this year — but it was great to get my pointy ears back on. It’s in 3D, so the ears will be extra pointy. You’ll be able to touch the ears."

In Lord Of The Rings, his character's name was Figwit, but it was never actually said out loud. In The Hobbit, however, things are different.

"I’ve got a proper name this time: Lindir. In the book he was a musical elf. This time, if I make the edit, I'll speak in Elvish. But I don’t sing. They haven’t asked me to do the theme song yet! Maybe this time it’s me and Annie Lennox."

"Ian McKellen, it turns out, is a big fan of Flight Of The Conchords. He and I had a good time on set, coming up with ideas for Hobbit: The Musical. We’re still developing it..."

Perhaps the most important question of all is... did you have to shave your beard off again?

"Oh yeah. I look like I’m 12. I look much more like a girl in The Hobbit. I look like a hot girl."

Well, we're sold. One hot girl with no beard, present. Excellent stuff.

Bret (and The Hobbit: There and Back Again) will be in cinemas come December 13 2013, and The Muppets will light the lights in the UK by February 12.