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Hollywood legend MARTIN SHEEN was asked not to attend a party at the White House where his WEST WING co-stars were invited to meet their real-life counterparts.

The 66-year-old actor, who played PRESIDENT JOSIAH BARTLET on the US political drama until it ended in May 06, got on well with Bush’s predecessor BILL CLINTON, but relations between the TV President and the US government soured when PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH came to power.

He reveals, “I adored Mr. Clinton. And he was a fan of The West Wing. For a while we were given carte blanche at the White House, which ended when Bush got in – ended for me anyway.

“When the new administration got into power, all my West Wing colleagues were invited there to meet their counterparts. All except me. I was very relieved about that.”

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Martin Sheen is going back to school.

Reuters reports that the 66-year-old actor has enrolled in the National University of Ireland in Galway for a degree in English literature, philosophy and oceanography.

The news service says that the university confirmed that Sheen is enrolled, and is scheduled to begin courses next month.

Reports have circulated that Sheen has reportedly always wanted to finish his education when he retired from acting. The actor never graduated from high school.

He received an honourary degree from NUI for his acting and “his consistent and meaningful engagement with civil society.”