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Harry Melling says it is a 'blessing' he no longer gets recognised by Harry Potter fans

VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Harry Melling attends 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' photocall during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Casino on August 31, 2018 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Harry Melling attends 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' photocall at the 75th Venice Film Festival on August 31, 2018 in Venice. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Harry Melling has admitted it is a “blessing” he no longer gets recognised from his time on the Harry Potter movie franchise.

The now 31-year-old is remembered for playing portly Dudley Dursley in JK Rowling’s wizarding film series, but trimming down in his teenage years means fans no longer spot him.

The actor now works in theatre and television, and has spoken of moving on in his career after the hugely popular series, which spawned eight movies, came to an end almost ten years ago.

Read more: Harry Melling talks Doctor Who, JK Rowling and Harry Potter

Speaking of losing weight, he told US publication PEOPLE: "I think it was an unconscious thing when it started to happen. I went to drama school when I was 18 and that's kind of where the weight shifted, not for any sort of major need on my side, but it's just something that just happened.

“And I've done a lot since drama school, went to do lots of theatre. I think one of the blessings of that sort of stage in my life was the fact that I didn't get recognised.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 12: Harry Melling attends the UK film premiere of 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' at Cineworld, Leicester Square during the 62nd BFI London Film Festival American Airlines Gala. October 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Harry Melling attends the UK film premiere of 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' at Cineworld, Leicester Square October 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Wiktor Szymanowicz / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
LONDON - MAY 30: Actor Harry Melling attends the UK Premiere of "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" at the Odeon Leicester Square on May 30, 2004 in London. The film is the third celluloid instalment of J K Rowling's series of books. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Harry Melling attends the UK Premiere of "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" at the Odeon Leicester Square on May 30, 2004 in London. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

"I had this history of being part of the films, but also I felt like I had the opportunity to sort of cause a new start, which I think is useful."

Melling makes appearances in several projects streaming on Netflix, including action film The Old Guard, thriller The Devil All the Time, and a new show entitled The Queen's Gambit.

Read more: Harry Potter star Jessie Cave welcomes her third child

He joked that he hoped his presence on the streaming service doesn’t mean viewers “get bored” of seeing him as many binge stream content due to the coronavirus lockdown.

He said: “But honestly it's just a great, strange coincidence that unfortunately, people can't get out and so they're relying on Netflix. So it's been a really strange and wonderful happening, the fact that these shows have all had this strange COVID life almost.”