Martin Bayfield

Former international rugby player Martin Bayfield is an accomplished awards host  and a hugely entertaining after dinner speaker , with impeccable comic timing.

At 6'10" Martin Bayfield was one of the tallest players in rugby, a gift he used to full advantage as one of England's most potent forwards. Martin juggled his Metropolitan Police career with rugby between 1985 - 1989, before moving into rugby fulltime in 1990. Since retiring, his height has helped win him the part of Robbie Coltrane's body double as the giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.

On the field Martin enjoyed a successful international career, winning 31 England caps and two Grand Slams. He played in the World Cup in South Africa and was selected to represent the British Lions in New Zealand.

Whilst playing for the Bedford club, Martin was selected for the England tour to Australia and Fiji in the summer of 1991.

It was on this tour that Martin gained the first of his England Caps when he was called in to replace the then England 2nd Row, Wade Dooley, also a policeman, who had broken his hand on an Australian player’s particularly hard head. On his return to England, Martin transferred from Bedford to Northampton, a club he represented for the rest of his career.

Martin went on to win 31 England Caps between 1991 and 1996, winning two Grand Slams and playing in the 1995 World Cup.  In 1993, he was selected to represent the British Lions in New Zealand and played in all three Tests, and in 1995 he was voted RFU Player of the Year. A serious neck injury in 1998 ended his career.

Since retirement Martin has moved seamlessly into broadcasting, as a co-presenter for BBC’s ‘Crimewatch’ in 2012, and part of ITV's Rugby World Cup coverage at the 2011 and 2015 editions. Martin is a currently a key presenter  of BT Sport’s rugby coverage. Martin was a finalist in BBC One's Celebrity Masterchef 2018 edition.

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

Martin is incredibly popular on the corporate circuit  and would make a fine addition to any event.