Harry Potter fans will already know that the likes of Dame Maggie Smith, Kenneth Branagh, Ralph Fiennes, Julie Walters and Miriam Margolyes all famously popped up in the movie.
Eagle-eyed supports of the film franchise who have watched the movies over and over again have also spotted some future stars and character actors in minor roles over the years.
From blink and you miss it cameos to some very impressive prosthetics to hide their identity, some of the UK’s biggest stars actually made their acting debuts in the beloved film series.
Daily Star has taken a walk down memory lane to uncover some of the biggest cameos – here’s some to watch out for…
Ben Shephard
Dark horse Ben Shephard had his acting cover blown in 2019 by his colleague Andi Peters.
Introducing a competition on GMB from the Warner Brothers’ Studio Tour, Andi said: “You of all people should know where I am, Ben- you have dressed up and been here.”
Andi continued: “Here is living proof of Ben in costume when he was here. Ben was in the movie Half Blood Prince.”
As well as his short role as an unnamed wizard just described as ‘Diagon Alley Father’ in the sixth film, Ben, 46, also appeared as an extra in one episode of Friends.
Dawn French
Despite a decades long career in comedy, national treasure Dawn French gave her all to her a pretty minor Potter role.
The star, 63, plays the Fat Lady – the screeching woman in the painting that moves to let Gryffindors into their common room.
Dawn appeared in The Prisoner of Azkaban, the third film. She took over the role from actress Elizabeth Spriggs.
Jesy Nelson
Best known for her chart topping run as part of Little Mix, Jesy Nelson had a short stint as an actress when she was younger
Jesy, 30, had a cameo in Hugh Grant hit romcom About A Boy, and also appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth film.
The singer’s magical past emerged when she was interviewed on Australian radio with her former bandmates in 2017.
“Jesy you were in Harry Potter”, the interviewer asked, to which Jesy excitedly replied: “I was in Harry Potter!”
Fans have struggled to find the exact spot she appeared, but a close-up photo appearing to show Jesy has circulated online ever since the revelation.
One website claimed she was a tiny head in the background of the Yule Ball scene.
Warwick Davis
He now has a regular gig as the host of ITV’s popular daytime quiz show Tenable. But Warwick Davis also has an extensive fantasy and adventure film career.
Warwick has appeared in films Willow, Leprechaun, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Solo.
He had the distinction of playing two Harry Potter roles – Griphook the goblin and Professor Flitwick, although his stint as Griphook was much more subtle, as he underwent hours of prosthetics being applied to his face to hide his identity and transform into the cunning goblin.
Dani Harmer
Tracy Beaker star Dani had a small role as part of Gryffindor House in the first Harry Potter film, The Philosopher’s Stone.
In February this year, a fan tweeted: “I think I found @DaniHarmer in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, she is behind Oliver Wood after Hermione speaks.”
Dani confirmed she was indeed the extra on screen, replying: “Yep there I am”.
The actress can be spotted for a brief moment behind Oliver Wood at a table, shortly after Hermione delivers a line.
Fiona Shaw
In recent years Fiona, 63, has wowed audiences as MI6’s Carolyn Martens in BBC drama Killing Eve. She also won a BAFTA TV award for the role.
But Fiona was a regular presence in the Harry Potter films – as Harry’s aunt, Petunia Dursley.
The dislikable character appears in five of the films, before softening slightly at the very end. The actress looks completely different on screen, with longer curled hair and bold make-up.
Rege-Jean Page and Freddie Stroma
Netflix’s period drama Bridgerton became a global hit when it launched last Christmas, with fans swooning over the love story between Simon Basset and Daphne Bridgerton.
And two of the show’s main heartthrobs can be spotted in early Harry Potter.
Rege-Jean Page, 31, who plays lead character the Duke of Hastings, had a small part in the first instalment of the Deathly Hallows.
During his three-second cameo, his character is a guest at Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour’s wedding and is seen standing next to Hermione Granger.
Meanwhile, Prince Frederick of Prussia actor Freddie Stroma, 34, starred in three of the films – The Half Blood Prince and parts 1 and 2 of the Deathly Hallows – as quidditch player and fellow Gryffindor Cormac McLaggen.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
