Top 10 Harry Potter Cameos You Missed

Best known for hosting “The Crystal Maze” in the ‘90s, Ed Tudor-Pole swapped the Crystal Dome for Knockturn Alley in 2002, scoring a role in “The Chamber of Secrets”. His outing as Borgin and Burke’s’ Mr. Borgin was cut from the film’s theatrical release, but fans can catch a glimpse on extended versions. Seen negotiating with Lucius Malfoy, he cuts a creepy character, surrounded by dark and dangerous artefacts.

An actress whose credits include “Nanny McPhee”, “Trainspotting”, and a role as Merida in Disney/Pixar’s “Brave”, Kelly Macdonald’s “Harry Potter” moment came in the saga’s final instalment, when she stepped out as the Grey Lady, Helena Ravenclaw. Prompted by Luna Lovegood and with Hogwarts on the verge of almighty battle, Harry goes to the ghost in search of the lost diadem. One hellish firestorm later, and the horcrux is no more.

While Warwick Davis provides the voice for the Gringotts goblin Griphook, and physically portrays him in later films, it’s Verne Troyer who took the role for “The Philosopher’s Stone”. In the film, we see Troyer reveal Harry’s riches, and help Hagrid with a top-secret transaction at vault 713. Of course, Harry soon learns that the very same vault was broken into shortly after Hagrid had emptied it. Coincidence? We think not.

There are plenty of Harry Potter/Game of Thrones crossover cast members, but we’ve singled out Michelle Fairley’s brief appearance as Hermione’s mum because it’s one of the saddest moments in the series. Otherwise known as Catelyn Stark, Fairley is on screen for mere seconds at the start of “Deathly Hallows - Part 1”, before Hermione wipes her memory in a bid to keep her family safe. A rare look at Hermione’s home life, and barely a dry eye in the house.

To the third film, and Harry’s still reeling from the Aunt Marge incident – special mention for Pam Ferris, here; the Miss Truchbull actress nails her larger than life role. But, did you spot the lead singer of The Stone Roses? Ian Brown is sat in the Leaky Cauldron just as Harry arrives, self-stirring his drink and reading “A Brief History of Time”. An apparent expert in Muggle Studies, this cameo deserves to be adored.

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted comic Miles Jupp presenting the weather in our next scene, but listen out for another crafty cameo, as Harry receives a Howler from the Ministry. He’s promptly expelled from Hogwarts by Mafalda Hopkirk, who’s curtly voiced by Jessica Hynes a la “The Royle Family” and “Spaced”. The character also appears as Hermione’s polyjuice potion guise in “Deathly Hallows – Part 1”, but this time she’s physically played by Stella from “Eastenders” actress, Sophie Thompson.

In truth, the Hogwarts portraits are crammed with cameos. Dawn French famously stretched her vocal chords as the Fat Lady, while the director David Yates snuck himself into “Order of the Phoenix” by posing for a picture. But we’ve picked the comedian Paul Whitehouse as the hapless Sir Cadogan. A temporary door-keeper for the Gryffindor common room, most of his best bits were regrettably cut. But he still stumbles through the background on occasion.

Another comic turn, and another from film three, Lenny Henry took a starring role in the Knight Bus sequence, as Harry makes a break from the Dursleys. Henry voices a Shrunken Head, there to hysterically guide Ernie, Harry and Stan Shunpike – played by Lee Ingleby - through the busy streets of London. The character didn’t appear in JK Rowling’s original story, but received a majority thumbs-up from fans, anyway. Take it away, Ernie…

Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Doctor Who and Game of Thrones; Julian Glover has been in his fair share of blockbuster franchises. His role in the Harry Potter universe saw him scare as Aragog, in “The Chamber of Secrets”. Hagrid’s prize pet but Ron’s worst nightmare, this super-spider headed a colony of colossal crawlies in the Forbidden Forest. But for the Ford Anglia arriving at exactly the right moment, Harry and Ron would’ve died there and then.

We finish with the Triwizard Tournament, and the headline act at the Yule Ball. The Weird Sisters are basically a British super-group, led by enigmatic frontman Myron Wagtail, AKA Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker. Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway also feature, as well as Pulp bassist Steve Mackey, Jason Buckle from All Seeing I, and Steven Claydon from Add N to (X). Who’s betting Dumbledore was the first one in the mosh pit? Thank you, Hogwarts!