Daniel Radcliffe is “short and nerdy”.

The 21-year-old actor – best known for playing the titular boy wizard in the ‘Harry Potter’ movie series – admits he used to want to be regarded as a sex symbol, but appreciates he is not conventionally attractive.

He said: “There was a time when I wanted to be that guy who’s sexy and cool and all that stuff.

“If people find me sexy or cool, it’s because they like short little nerdy guys. And we do have our niche.”

Daniel also admitted he doesn’t think his fans view him in the same was as ‘Twilight’ devotees do Robert Pattinson because they have seen him grow up on screen.

He explained to the British edition of GQ magazine: “There’s more of a sexual energy behind ‘Twilight’ fans. Because people have mostly grown up with me, they tend to think of me as an older brother kind of figure. Whereas I think Rob is the sex symbol. And also, I guess, he’s out there more than I am, going to parties and things.

“I think everyone goes to more parties than me, so it’s not really a big competition.”

The 21-year-old British star is currently dating an unnamed member of the ‘Harry Potter’ team and says he is attracted to her because she is “cool and sane”.

He said: “It was one of those things where we were both in relationships and I broke up with my previous girlfriend and I was suddenly like, ‘Oh, I quite fancy you and I never even noticed that before.’

“She’s just really, really cool and lovely and sane – which is what I’m after.”