News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Injured Harry Potter stuntman David Holmes has been told by doctors he will never walk again.

David, 27, who doubles for Harry star Daniel Radcliffe, wept when given the devastating news.

David's spine was damaged when a controlled explosion went wrong and hurled him to the ground during a flying scene for the new boy wizard movie The Deathly Hallows.

Despite being unable to move his arms and legs, the action man vowed to make a full recovery and bravely declared: "I'll be back."

But doctors have now told him he will remain confined to a wheechair. A friend said: "David is struggling to come to terms with the news."

David was rehearsing the Jerk Back - one of the most dangerous stunts in the business - at Leavesden studios near Watford, Herts, six weeks ago.

The scene involved the bespectacled double flying through the air in a harness and then appearing to be hurled back by an explosion.

The friend said: "David had done the stunt earlier that day but he said that it was harder to perform than usual and that it hurt when it was pulling him back.

"It's a dangerous stunt and David knew that. Most stuntmen get double their daily pay to carry it out.

"The stunt went terribly wrong and David was thrown so far that he missed all of the safety mats. He hit the ground very hard.

"He told crew members he couldn't feel anything from the waist down."

David was taken to the local A&E at Watford general hospital but transferred to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, north-west London, when the extent of his injuries became clear.

He bravely asked relatives to update his Facebook page to say: "Don't worry...the stunt-runt will be back."

Surgeons operated to reposition the vertebrae in his neck in the hope that it would restore movement to his lower body but without success.

David, who has appeared in all the Harry Potter movies starting with The Philosopher's Stone in 2001, has been visited by stars Daniel, 19, and Tom Felton, 21, who plays Death Eater Draco Malfoy.

Stunt co-ordinator Greg Powell is also a frequent visitor.

A source revealed: "Greg is devastated by what has happened. He was there when the surgeons told David that he would never walk again.

It's terrible news but his family and friends are trying to offer him as much support as they can.

"He is so young and was very good at his job. But his life will be completely altered now."

The source added: "Although David has been told he'll never walk again he is still not giving up hope.

"Deep down he knows it's unlikely but it's still early days and so he's not giving up completely."

Film bosses are now bracing themselves for a lawsuit from the stuntman and it is believed they have agreed to pay his wages until the end of filming.

They are also paying his mortgage until a permanent settlement is negotiated.

A studio spokesman declined to comment. David's family also did not want to comment.

features@people.co.uk

KNOW A STORY?

RING US NOW ON 020 7293 3061

Or Email features@people.co.uk