Harry Melling has revealed it was odd having to wear a fatsuit when returning to his role as Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

The 21-year-old Merlin star plays Harry's cousin in the Harry Potter films, but had to have the extra weight added after he shed the pounds over the years.

"It was quite funny because I had a big fatsuit on in this film and face prosthetics - I do look a bit different because Dudley was a very piggish character and about three years ago I lost quite a considerable amount of weight," he said.

Harry, who guest stars in Merlin on November 20, reckoned the suit enhanced his performance.

"It was bizarre, you feel really big and my mobility was affected. However, it is amazing to feel light but within someone that should feel really heavy, so that was a fascinating contrast. It was interesting in terms of the physicality and thinking about how he would hold himself."

His weight loss also ensures that he is rarely recognised on the streets.

"No I don't, which is really beyond amazing! It means that I can lead a normal life without the baggage of people running after me and shouting things at me," he revealed.

"It was an active decision to try and change that and hopefully I can continue to do that throughout my career and be as mercurial and changeable as possible."

:: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is in cinemas now, and Merlin airs on November 20 at 7.45pm on BBC One.

PA