Back in the Slythe-ring! Harry Potter star Josh Herdman is virtually unrecognisable after taking a break from acting to become a CAGE FIGHTER
He rose to fame as Gregory Goyle in the Harry Potter series.
But Josh Herdman is now virtually unrecognisable from Draco Malfoy's gormless and quivering aide after pursuing a new career as a cage-fighter.
The 28-year-old actor, who starred in all eight films from the fantasy series, won his first match as an mixed martial arts fighter over the weekend, beating Polish opponent Janusz Walachowski at the City Pavillion in Romford, east London.
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It's just not quidditch! He rose to fame as Gregory Goyle in the Harry Potter series. But Josh Herdman is now virtually unrecognisable from Draco Malfoy's gormless aide after pursuing a career as a cage-fighter
Josh - who also has a son with his partner Morgan - had trained in traditional Japanese jujitsu for five years ahead of his transition of cage fighting and wowed the crowds with his skills on his first match.
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But despite paving a career for himself in the ring, Josh revealed that he hasn't given up on his dream of acting and is still pursuing new roles.
Speaking to The Mirror he explained: 'I haven’t fallen out of love with it, I still have an agent and still go for auditions. It’s just a little bit like playing the lottery for a living.'
He added: 'I don’t see it so much as a career change, I am passionate about both acting and fighting.'
Fantasy fighter: Josh, 28, (L) starred in all eight films from the fantasy series alongside Tom Felton (M) who played Draco Malfoy and (R) Louis Cordice as Blaise Zabini
Spell-binding! Josh - who now also has a son with his partner Morgan - had trained in traditional Japanese jujitsu for five years ahead of his transition of cage fighting
Meanwhile, whilst the Harry Potter book and film series has come to an end, fans of the wizarding world will have the chance to see their favourite characters brought back to life in the new stage play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.
The play will receive its world premiere at London's Palace Theatre on July 31, 2016 but the latest update marks a start to rehearsals for the group.
The stage play will run into 2017, which marks the 20th anniversary of the UK publication of the very first book, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone.
Rising like a phoenix! Despite paving a career for himself in the ring, Josh revealed that he hasn't given up on his dream of acting and is still pursuing new roles but has not starred in anything since Harry Potter
The script of the new stage play, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, will be released as a book on July 31 - the day after the play's world premiere and, fans will note, Harry's birthday.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ended 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, as Harry waved his two eldest children off to the wizarding school.
The Cursed Child will pick up from that moment, focusing on Harry as a frazzled Ministry of Magic civil servant and his middle child Albus Severus, who is struggling under the weight of the family's legacy.
Pottermore! Whilst the Harry Potter series has come to an end, fans will have the chance to see their favourite characters brought back to life in the new stage play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child
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