Martin Bayfield
Martin Christopher Bayfield (born 21 December 1966) is an English actor, broadcaster, and former rugby union player who played lock forward for Northampton Saints, Bedford Blues and England, gaining 31 England and 3 Lions caps.
 Martin Bayfield at Sixways Stadium, Worcester | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | Martin Christopher Bayfield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 21 December 1966 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Bedford, Bedfordshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 115 kg (18 st 2 lb)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life and career
Bayfield was born in Bedford and was educated at Bedford School. He served with the Metropolitan Police from 1985 to 1989, before transferring to Bedfordshire Police. The 208 cm (6 ft 10in) tall Bayfield made his England debut in 1991, and although he was omitted from the 1991 World Cup squad, he was a part of the 1992 Five Nations Grand Slam winning side. He went on the 1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand, and was part of the 1995 World Cup squad. He would play 18 times partnering Martin Johnson. His final appearance for England came in the 1996 Five Nations match against Wales.
His last game was against Gloucester in February 1998; a neck injury sustained in training a few days later forced him to retire.
Film and television career
Since retirement, Bayfield has worked as a journalist, an after-dinner speaker, and has appeared in all of the Harry Potter films playing the half-giant Hagrid, as Robbie Coltrane's body and stunt double (he also appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as a young Rubeus Hagrid). Continuing the acting theme, he also played a cyclops in Jonathan Liebesman's Wrath of the Titans, the sequel to the 2010 movie Clash of the Titans. Bayfield also played "Rugby Player 1" in an episode of the BBC One series New Tricks (first shown on 1 September 2008).
In his broadcasting career, Bayfield has presented the NFL and World's Strongest Man coverage on UK Channel Five and worked as a rugby correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live. He also served as a presenter for ITV's coverage of the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups, as well as presenting ITV's Guinness Premiership highlights. From 2012-2016, he co-presented BBC's Crimewatch with Kirsty Young. From 23 August 2018 Martin took part in Celebrity Masterchef of which he reached the final three shown on BBC one on 28 September 2018.
In 2013, BT Sport acquired the exclusive rights to the Aviva Premiership. Bayfield (along with his ITV co-presenter Craig Doyle) moved to the new channel and he now works as a presenter, pundit and pitchside reporter.
Personal life
Bayfield is married to his second wife Jane Goodman, and has three daughters, Roseanna, Polly and Lucy[3] whom he had with his first wife, Helena.
Bayfield is an Honorary President of the Wooden Spoon Society, the rugby charity that supports disadvantaged children and young people.
Bayfield released A Very Tall Story, a memoir of his rugby days, on Sept. 15, 2022.[4]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | Young Rubeus Hagrid | Also body double for Robbie Coltrane |
| 2007 | StagKnight | Knight / William | |
| 2012 | Wrath of the Titans | Cyclops |
References
- "Martin Bayfield". IMDb.
- "US". Independent.co.uk.
- Philip, Robert (27 October 2003). "Bayfield makes giant strides and sees the big picture". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- Bayfield, Martin (15 September 2022). A Very Tall Story. ISBN 9781398514256.