Martin Bayfield

Martin Bayfield: TV Presenter & Former England International Rugby Player

Martin Bayfield is a former British Lion and England International rugby player, broadcaster and winner of two Grand Slams. Martin is one of the funniest after dinner speakers, awards hosts and established auctioneers on the corporate circuit. Regaling incredibly entertaining rugby anecdotes with impeccable comic timing, alongside his tales from the Police and his time as Robbie Coltrane’s body double in Harry Potter, Martin is an all-round accomplished entertainer.

Between 1985 and 1989 Martin served with the Metropolitan Police before transferring to Bedfordshire Police where he juggled playing rugby and serving in the forces. He made the transition into his full-time rugby career in 1990.

At 6’10” Martin was one of the tallest rugby players of his generation, which he used to his full advantage as one of England’s forwards. He enjoyed a successful international career, winning 31 England caps and 2 Five/Six Nations Grand Slams from 1991 to 1996, as well as being selected to represent the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand in 1993. Injury prematurely ended Martin’s rugby career in 1998, but his charismatic personality and natural stage presence enabled him to easily transition into TV Presenting and speaking, hosting and auctioneering at corporate events.

In 2012 Martin was confirmed as a regular presenter on BBC1’s long-running show Crimewatch. In his broadcasting career, Martin has also presented the NFL and World’s Strongest Man and worked as a rugby correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Martin has been involved in ITV’s rugby coverage; initially as their England reporter in 2011, and supporting more widely as a pitch-side reporter across all major tournament fixtures for both Rugby World Cup and RBS / Guinness Six Nations. Martin was also ITV’s live presenter for the BT World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge 2015.

Martin has been one of the longest running Live Broadcast Presenters for BT Sport (now TNT Sports) across all Premiership Rugby and European Rugby Union tournaments, as well as presenting popular shows such as Rugby Tonight for the channel.

Martin is also well known for serving as the body and stunt double of the much-loved giant Rubeus Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, in the entire Harry Potter franchise. He also appeared as a cyclops in the film Wrath of the Titans and was offered the role of The Mountain in HBO’s popular hit show Game of Thrones.

Martin was a finalist in BBC One’s Celebrity MasterChef 2018, continuously wowing the judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, with his imaginative dishes and culinary knowledge.

Martin is actively involved with charities; he is the Honorary President of the Wooden Spoon Society, a rugby charity that supports disadvantaged children and young people, as well as Vice President of London Playing Fields Foundation.