I’m a former England rugby star, but few people know I played major character in Harry Potter
MARTIN BAYFIELD is remembered by many rugby fans as a 6ft 10in former England star.
But the behemoth is less well known for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies.
Former England rugby star Martin Bayfield also enjoyed a career in HollywoodSportsphoto
AlamyHe filled in for Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid’s body double in the Harry Potter films[/caption]
Bayfield, 57, won 34 caps for England playing as a lock forward between 1991 and 1996.
The ex-Northampton Saints and Bedford Blues star also picked up three Lions caps on the unsuccessful 1993 tour to New Zealand.
But after sustaining a serious neck injury in 1998, Bayfield bowed out of rugby before moving into journalism.
He has since gone on to present shows like Crimewatch and World’s Strongest Man, while also covering the Rugby World Cups in 2007 and 2011.
Bayfield has enjoyed some success on the big screen too.
The giant filled in for the late actor Robbie Coltrane as the body and stunt double for popular Harry Potter character Hagrid.
Appearing in all eight films, Bayfield was used for far-away shots and full-body, backwards-facing appearances – while wearing an animatronic head – to create the illusion of Hagrid’s giant size.
In the second Harry Potter movie, ‘The Chamber of Secrets’, Bayfield even got some face time playing a young Hagrid.
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The entire franchise generated a mind-blowing £7billion at the box office.
And his time on the set paved the way for him to play a cyclops in Hollywood movie Wrath of the Titans, which starred Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy and Rosamund Pike – and made a respectable £240m at the box office.
But speaking exclusively to SunSport in 2018, Bayfield admitted starring in Harry Potter did not top the rush of playing elite-level rugby.
He said: “At least no-one ever punched me while filming Harry Potter!
“I will never be able to create the excitement and joy of playing rugby.
“I will just become a sad old man looking back on it all thinking about how great those days were.
“I was lucky enough to have them and we move on.”
Bayfield wore an animatronic head as his 6ft 10in frame was used to illustrate Hagrid’s sizeRex Features
Bayfield retired from rugby after a neck injury and moved into journalismGetty Images – Getty
Allsport – GettyHis illustrious career also saw him play for the British and Irish Lions[/caption]
