Harry Potter stunt performer David Holmes has spoken candidly about living “vicariously” through his former co-star Daniel Radcliffe after an on-set accident left him paralysed from the chest down.
A talented gymnast, Essex-born Holmes was just 17 when he was cast as Radcliffe’s stunt double in the 2001 adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He would reprise the role in the following five films in the hit fantasy franchise, until a stunt rehearsal during pre-production on Deathly Hallows Part One in 2009 went horrifically wrong. While practicing a jerk-back stunt, Holmes was launched into a wall, and immediately broke his neck.
