Martin Bayfield

Martin Bayfield is a former British Lions and England international rugby player, now turned TV presenter and stunt actor, and sought-after speaker and event host.

Between 1985 and 1989, Martin Bayfield served with the Metropolitan Police before transferring to Bedfordshire police, where he juggled his policing job with playing rugby. He made the transition into full-time rugby in 1990.

AT 6’10”, Martin is among some of the tallest rugby players to play the game, an advantage he used as one of the England team’s forwards. He enjoyed a successful international career, winning 31 England caps and two Five/Six Nations grand slams between 1991 and 1996, as well as representing the British and Irish Lions in 1993. In 1995, he was voted the RFU (Rugby Football Union) Player of the Year. Injury permanently halted his career in 1998, but his charisma saw a natural transition into television.

Backed by his extensive media experience, Martin Bayfield is a passionate and popular after-dinner speaker known for his honest anecdotes from his rugby career.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book Rugby Player and TV Presenter Martin Bayfield for your next event.

Type Of Talent

After DinnerEvent HostsLeadership & TeamworkPresentersSpeakerSport

More About Martin Bayfield

A serious neck injury prematurely ended Martin Bayfield’s rugby career in 1998, but his charismatic personality and natural stage presence enabled him to easily transition into TV presenting and corporate speaking.

Martyn Bayfield TV Presenter

In 2012, he was confirmed as a regular presenter on BBC One’s long-running show Crimewatch (2012-2016). Throughout his broadcasting career, he has also covered the NFL and World’s Strongest Man (2006-) and worked as a rugby correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live.

He’s been involved in the coverage of the 2011 and 2015 rugby world cups, initially as ITV’s England reporter but then as a major tournament pitch-side reporter. He has continued this role throughout the Six Nations tournaments. He has also been their main presenter for the BT World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge. He also has experience presenting for BT Sport’s Premiership Rugby and European Rugby Union tournaments and for shows, including Rugby Tonight for the channel, and he is now one of their longest running live presenters across all rugby tournaments.

What some people may not know is that Martin was the body and stunt double of the much-loved giant Rubeus Hagrid, played by the late Robbie Coltrane in the entire Harry Potter (2001-2011) film franchise. He also appeared as a cyclops in the film Wrath of the Titans (2012), and was offered the role of The Mountain in HBO’s hugely popular Game of Thrones.

His beloved personality has also seen him appear on a variety of entertainment shows, including Morning Live (2021), The Wright Stuff (2013), A Question of Sport (2013), The Weakest Link (2004), and Celebrity Masterchef (2018), where he made it to the final.

In 2022, Martin released his memoir, A Very Tall Story. Described as a “hilarious and, at times, moving and soul-searching”, Martin’s book explores his time as an amateur and then professional rugby player, stunt double, and TV presenter.

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

Martin Bayfield Keynote Speaker

Whilst injury may have prematurely ended his rugby playing career, his natural flair and fun personality have made him a popular keynote speaker, award host, and conference moderator.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book ex-Rugby Player and TV Presenter Martin Bayfield for your corporate event.

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Testimonials

Martin was absolutely the lynch pin that held the audience together; he was amusing and engaging and was an absolute treat to listen to.
Nicola, Commercial Projects Manager, MTA

Thank you so much for hosting the INCA Awards last night. The feedback from the event has been excellent with members commenting on what an engaging and interesting speaker you were. It was lovely that you joined us for dinner and we were especially pleased at the way you engaged with our members, taking the time to sign autographs and pose for photographs. This was over and above what we expected and added real value to our event. Thank you once again for your time and I hope we have the opportunity to work together again in future.
Alice, INCA

Extremely personable; a natural raconteur and very engaging. The highlight of the afternoon and provided some well-earned, light relief for all attending the event. Feedback from delegates was extremely positive and complimentary.
The NCC