Daniel Radcliffe bursts into tears over stunt double's life-changing injuries

01 November 2023 , 23:20

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Daniel became emotional as he discussed David (Image: SKY)

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe was visibly moved while discussing the tragic accident that left his stunt double, David Holmes, paralysed.

The life-changing injury happened during the filming of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1. The life and career of Holmes, a former gymnast, is the focus of a new documentary titled 'David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived', a nod to the nickname of the character Harry Potter in the popular film series and books by JK Rowling.

In a sneak peek shared by HBO, Radcliffe remembers Holmes as someone who "would do the most dangerous physical stuff" on the set of the Harry Potter films. Stunt double Holmes, from Essex, was chosen to be Radcliffe's double for the first film when Radcliffe was only 11 years old.

Daniel Radcliffe became emotional as he discussed his stunt double, David Holmes (SKY)

Over the next ten years, the two formed a close bond which Harry star Daniel discusses in the new trailer. He also opens up about the incident which left Holmes paralysed after suffering a debilitating spinal injury. In a trailer, a tearful Radcliffe says: "It is unfair, he shouldn't have had to do any of that."

He continues: "This terrible thing happened to Dave, but I don't want to talk as if his life is a tragedy. The way his life has affected the lives of people around him means that it is the furthest thing from that imaginable."

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While rehearsing a scene back at the Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden in 2009, David was pulled backwards by a high-strength wire in what is called a "jerk back" stunt which often replicates the aftermath of an explosion. Sadly, Holmes was thrown into a wall and instantly broke his neck.

David was left paralysed from the chest down after a disastrous accident on set (SKY)

Following the disaster, he was instantly rushed to Watford General Hospital and was later transferred to Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in northwest London, where he was treated for six months. He was informed by medical staff that he was paralysed from the chest down and would have limited movements in both his arms and hands.

During his time as an inpatient, both Daniel and Tom Felton who played Potter's nemesis, Draco Malfoy continued to visit him. Felton also held a charity auction and dinner in order to raise vital funds to cover David's ever-growing medical bills.

The film, directed by Dan Hartley and with Radcliffe as an executive producer, will feature candid personal footage shot over the last decade, behind-the-scenes material from Holmes' stunt work, and scenes of his current life. It will also feature interviews with friends, family, and former crew.

David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived will be available on demand on Sky Documentaries and streaming service Now from November 18.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Daniel Bird