Stars you didn’t realize had cameos in Harry Potter movies – from Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson to the Bridgerton cast and GMB host E! News UK

THEY kept viewers spellbound for 20 years – but only the most die-hard fan will know every star who has appeared in the Harry Potter films.

To celebrate the two decades of the successful franchise, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson will all return for a one-off TV show on New Years Day.

They will be joined by filmmaker Chris Columbus, as well as various recognizable actors from the eight iconic films.

These include movie legends like Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman and Imelda Staunton.

But alongside the multitude of stars who have played major roles in the franchise, a host of other famous faces may have passed you by.

From Tracy Beaker’s Dani Harmer to Jesy Nelson, two of Bridgerton’s actors and even GMB’s Ben Shephard, here are the surprising celebrity cameos that have appeared over the years.

Dani Harmer

Dani Harmer is best known for playing Tracy Beaker[/caption]

She is best known as the star of Tracy Beaker, but many Dani Harmer fans did not realize that she had a small role in the first film.

An eagle-eyed fan took to Twitter to share a photo from The Philosopher’s Stone, to highlight Dani.

They tweeted: “I think I found @DaniHarmer in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, she’s behind Oliver Wood after Hermione spoke. “

Dani confirmed that she was indeed the on-screen extra, tweeting back, “Yes, I’m here.”

Ben shephard

Susanna Reid was stunned in 2019 – as well as much of the UK – when it was revealed that her Good Morning Britain co-host Ben Shephard, 46, had appeared in Harry Potter and the Prince of mixed blood.

Ben played a short role as an unnamed wizard in the popular franchise’s sixth film, described simply as “Diagon Alley Father.”

Ben Shephard enjoyed a brief fame away from daytime television in the UK[/caption]

Introducing a contest on GMB, of the Warner Brothers’ Studio Tour, Andi Peters said, “You out of all of them should know where I am, Ben – you dressed up and you came here!”

Andi continued, “Here is living proof of Ben in a suit when he was here. Ben was in the movie Half Blood Prince – one of the Harry Potter movies – and that’s exactly where I am right now.

Ben also appeared on Friends as a “background artist” in one episode as well.

Jesy nelson

She is best known for her incredible singing career in Little Mix, before her recent exit from the group, but Jesy Nelson also had a short stint as an actress.

The 30-year-old hasn’t only appeared on the Hugh Grant hit About A Boy, she has also appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Speaking on Australian radio with her former bandmates in 2017, she was asked about the role in wizarding films.

“Jesy, you were in Harry Potter,” the interviewer asked, to which Jesy responded enthusiastically, “I was in Harry Potter! “

While many fans struggled to find the exact spot where she appeared, a close-up photo appearing to show her has circulated online since the reveal – a site claiming she was a little head in the background of the Christmas ball scene.

Rege-Jean Page and Freddie Stroma

Rege-Jean Page conquered millions of hearts as Simon Basset in Bridgerton[/caption]

The Bridgerton cast left Britons hot under the collar thanks to their racy scenes from the Netflix series.

But two of the main idols achieved fame much earlier – and even appeared in Harry Potter.

Main star Rege-Jean Page, 33, who plays Simon Basset, had a small role in the first installment of Deathly Hallows.

During her three-second appearance, her character is the guest of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour’s wedding and is seen standing next to Hermione Granger.

Meanwhile, actor Freddie Stroma, 34, of Prince Frederick of Prussia, starred in three of the films – The Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2 – as a Quidditch player and fellow Gryffindor Cormac McLaggen.

Julianne and Derek Hough

Julianne Hough is best known for her professional performances in Dancing With the Stars[/caption]

Julianne played a horny Gryffindor student[/caption]

Professional dance siblings Julianne, 33, and Derek Hough, 36, were two very surprising stars to appear in the movies as well – albeit briefly.

The stunning Dancing With the Stars Julianne appeared as the unnamed Gryffindor in the first film, while her brother played a Ravenclaw student holding an owl in the same movie, as the students returned home for Christmas.

Derek Hough is a professional dancer like his sister[/caption]

Derek appears behind Hermione in one scene[/caption]

The couple landed the roles alongside other students at a performing arts music school.

Michelle fairley

Michelle is well known for playing Catelyn Stark in Game Of Thrones[/caption]

Most fans will know actress Michelle Fairley, 5, as Catelyn Stark in Game Of Thrones – but before that, she had had a brief place in the penultimate Harry Potter film.

She plays Hermione’s mother in a particularly bizarre scene at first, as the young wizard is forced to erase the memories of both of his parents.

Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway

Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood & Phil Selway have a go at acting[/caption]

The producers also ensured they had the best of the best in the fourth film when it came to a live band at the Yule Ball.

The Weird Sisters are seen on stage as the Young Wizards dance in front of them, and many Radiohead fans may have had double takes.

The band members are actually made up of actual musicians Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway from the popular band – and they’re even joined by Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, alongside more famous stars.

Fiona shaw

Fiona Shaw most recently had a starring role in Killing Eve[/caption]

Fiona played Aunt Petunia in the movies[/caption]

Actress Fiona Shaw, 63, wowed fans with her portrayal of Carolyn Martens in the BBC drama Killing Eve, for which she won a Bafta TV award.

But she also has a pretty big role in the Harry Potter films – as Harry’s aunt, Petunia Dursley.

The unpleasant character appears in five of the films, before softening slightly at the very end – but with longer curly hair and bold makeup, the actress looks completely different on screen.

Julie christie

Julie Christie has built a huge acting career over the years[/caption]

The actress plays the patroness of the Madame Rosmerta pub[/caption]

Madame Rosmerta only made a cameo appearance in the film[/caption]

Julie Christie, 81, is a ‘Swinging Sixties’ icon, appearing in everything from Doctor Zhivago to Darling, and has won prestigious awards including an Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA.

So the producers of Harry Potter were undoubtedly over the moon when she agreed to play a small role in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – as Madame Rosmerta.

Ian brown

Ian Brown traded The Stone Roses for The Leaky Cauldron[/caption]

Ian Brown is seen stirring a drink while reading in a pub[/caption]

The Stone Roses lead singer – Ian Brown – also appeared briefly in the third film.

Shortly after Harry arrives at the Leaky Cauldron, Ian takes on the role of an anonymous wizard who is seen reading A Brief History of Time and distractedly stirring a glass.

Alfred Enoch

Alfred Enoch is now well known for his role in How to Get Away with Murder[/caption]

Alfred played young Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films[/caption]

Another recognizable face for many will be Dean in the movies, who is played by Alfred Enoch.

Alfred, 33, is now well known to many for his role in How to Get Away with Murder, as Wes Gibbins.

Verne Troyer

The late Verne Troyer has played incredible movie roles during his career[/caption]

Verne Troyer played Gripsec in the first movie[/caption]

Acting legend Verne Troyer was one of the first additions to the Harry Potter lineup, as he made an appearance in the first film.

The late star, who died in 2018, played Griphook in the first installment – although he didn’t voice it – before being replaced by Warwick Davis.

Lenny henri

Lenny Henry is a star many people now know to have played in the third film[/caption]

Lenny Henry voiced Shrunken Head in Harry Potter[/caption]

Perhaps one of the strangest and funniest scenes happens in the third film, when Harry hops aboard the Knight Bus to escape his aunt and uncle’s house and get to the Leaky Cauldron. .

And playing ‘Dr. Head’ is none other than 62-year-old Lenny Henry.

The head hangs from the front of the bus and speaks with a distinctive Jamaican accent, while instructing Ernie the driver what to do.

Pam ferris

Pam Ferris is completely different from her role in Harry Potter in real life[/caption]

Pam Ferris plays Aunt Marge, who is puffed up by an angry Harry at the table[/caption]

It’s hard to forget actress Pam Ferris’ role as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda – and she has another memorable place in Harry Potter, playing her Aunt Marge.

Harry accidentally blows up his aunt after getting angry at her mean comments in Prisoner of Azkaban, before she was seen flying away.

Have you spotted them all?