This Morning host Ben Shephard reminded ITV viewers that he once had a small role in the mega popular Harry Potter movie franchise (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeWhile presenting This Morning this week, Ben Shephard reminded viewers that that he had a cameo in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. The 49 year old star, who also hosts Tipping Point, made a brief appearance in the sixth instalment of the beloved series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In the movie, Ben was hardly recognisable sporting long chestnut hair and a moustache. He appeared in a scene in Fred and George’s Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley, but sadly his part in the franchise was uncredited and his scene was cut out. Speaking about his cameo before, Ben said: “I looked like a young Gary Oldman I actually did.”
Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley now host This Morning
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
It’s not the only cameo Ben has had, as he has also starred in iconic sitcom Friends. He previously said to former Good Morning Britain co-host Kate Garraway when he hosted the show: “All the big stars have been on Friends, Kate.” To which she humorously responded, “Oh, here we go! “. Ben got to play a reporter at Joey’s (Matt LeBlanc) film premiere. He said: “Friends was at its peak. I got to interview [co-creator] Marta [Kauffman] on set. She was brilliant. While we were talking I knew they were shooting Joey’s premiere that night. I said to the crew, ‘why don’t I try and angle this interview and get us on set’.” “I’d been chatting with Marta, saying we were really looking forward to seeing it because it’s red carpet and part of our trade.” He added: “It was an absolute privilege to be there, for all of us actually.”
Ben Shephard looked unrecognisable in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
(Image: Warner Brothers)
It comes as Harry Potter bosses have launched an open casting call for the upcoming HBO remake. The team behind the upcoming original series – which is a revival of the iconic film franchise adapted from J.K. Rowling’s wizarding books – are looking for a new trio to take on the roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger with children from the UK and Ireland invited to audition. The casting call reads: “We are currently only able to consider children who are aged 9-11 in April 2025, and a resident of the UK or Ireland. Please only apply if you meet the brief.” This suggests filming will be underway in seven months, which matches the timeline it took to cast Daniel Radcliffe in the title role back in 2000, when he was 11 years old.
Daniel Radcliffe played the boy wizard Harry Potter across eight films between 2001 and 2011
Emma Watson and Rupert Grint – who played Hermione and Ron in the original films – were 10 and 12 when they were cast. The brief adds: “We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting. “For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to ethnicity, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnBen ShephardHarry PotterThis Morning
