I had more screen time than ever, but not a single word to say!” laughs David, who lives in Stratford-upon-Avon. “I didn’t have to bother learning lines.” But, at 65, David still did all his own stunts, including teetering at the top of a 30 foot high ladder, to hang up the latest decree from nasty new Hogwarts headmistress Dolores Umbridge, played by Imelda Staunton.
“I used to be terrified of heights,” reveals David. “My wife Rosanna used to have to climb up to the loft while I held the ladder. But I had to conquer my fear when I played God at the National Theatre, when I was raised above the audience."

“They were shaking the ladder on Harry Potter, so I had a harness on just in case. I found it was easier to stay up there for half an hour rather than come down after each take."

“I also had to have my face covered n boils for one scene, when Filch eats a Weasley magic sweet. That took an extra couple of hours in make-up, beyond the hour it takes to put in the hair extensions."