HARRY POTTER actor Mark Williams spent part of his early career aboard a Huddersfield canal boat – and now the star is travelling the world to promote the latest blockbuster.

As the Harry Potter fantasy saga sees the release of The Deathly Hallows this week, Mark has shown he’s a lot more than just his character, Arthur Weasley.

He’s now back on the small screen as part of new BBC One Daytime 1960s drama The Indian Doctor.

Mark is now touring the world to promote the film and his role as Ron Weasley’s father, Arthur, who works in the Ministry of Magic. Ron is Harry Potter’s best friend.

Examiner’s Head Of Features, Val Javin, met Mark when he was based in Marsden with the Mikron Theatre Company during the 1980s.

She said: “Looking back I always thought he was one of the ones that had real natural ability.

“He doesn’t seem to have changed a bit – he just appears to be an older version now of how he was then.

“He was very funny and had an exceptionally dry sort of humour.

“He was a nice guy and greatly talented.”

Val said she believes Mark’s time at Mikron was a great introduction to the world of acting in a close-knit team.

The company, now in its 39th year, tours the country’s waterways putting on shows in all sorts of venues from pubs to community halls and even people’s homes.

They have a reputation for tackling political and historical subjects and write all their own material.

Val said: “The theatre group only chooses four actors every year so they get to play many parts which is a great way of learning the craft.

“Mark would have spent five months of the year travelling on the waterways on a narrowboat.

“Five months is a long time to spend on a small boat cramped in with other people, so he must have got on well with the rest of the company.

“And they say the Harry Potter cast now get on very well like a family too.

“I think Mark must have enjoyed his time with Mikron as he spent three years there.

“I’m sure the experience put him in good stead for the future.”

Mark, born in Worcestershire, has also seen fame in The Fast Show, Red Dwarf and The Borrowers.

This year Mikron have not managed to secure any formal funding.

To find out more about the company and how you can help visit the website www.mikron.org.uk.

The Deathly Hallows follows Harry Potter on a quest to find and destroy Lord Voldemort’s secret to immortality – the Horcruxes.

As usual it stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as Harry’s best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

The film will be released in two parts. The first is released today with the second part on July 15 next year.