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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Amy Reast & John Bett

Man can't walk down the street without being mistaken for Harry Potter character

A man who grew his beard in at the request of his daughter now looks just like Hagrid and can't walk down the street without being mistaken for the Harry Potter character.

Aaron Sankey, 32, bears an uncanny resemblance to the caretaker of Hogwarts, complete with bushy beard and unruly hair fit for a giant.

It wasn't until colleagues started asking him to reel off famous Hagrid quotes - like 'you're a wizard, Harry' - that he realised he was morphing into the fictional giant.

He embraced the resemblance and said kids often point and whisper in the street, asking their mum or dad if he's the real deal.

Aaron looked more like Neville Longbottom before he grew his hair out (Aaron Mark Sankey / SWNS)
Now he's definitely a lookalike for Hagrid, and people regularly tell him so (Aaron Mark Sankey / SWNS)

Thick-skinned Aaron said he's not offended by the comparison, and fiancé, Rachel Simpson, 30, loves his look too.

The fishmonger from Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, said: "I never planned to look like anyone or anything in particular. I'm naturally a hairy person so I just let it grow, and this is the outcome.

"I've read all the Harry Potter books and seen all the films, and I definitely do notice the resemblance - especially first thing in the morning, or after a blow-dry.

"I do get people whispering and pointing, or even coming up to talk to me about it, but I see the funny side. I get a lot of kids talking to their parents quite loudly while pointing over at me.

"Whenever I go to the pub, heads turn - for some reason it seems to happen a lot there. I know I'm hairy, so I just see the funny side - it's hard to crack a joke at me that I don't see the funny side of myself."

Not only does dad-of-two Aaron share Hagrid's long locks, broad frame and bushy locks, he also has a massive dog - just like Fang in the books and movies.

Aaron, dad to girls Kayla, seven, and Daya, three, has always had fast-growing dark locks and facial hair, but started to grow it out in 2019.

Within a year, he has an impressive beard and thick dark hair, which was when colleagues in his previous workplace, Carphone Warehouse, began to make comments.

He said: "One day I was running late and rushed into work without brushing my hair. I must have had about ten people come up to me that day asking, 'can you call me a wizard?' and other similar references.

"It took me a few seconds to see what they meant."

Although Aaron is a fan of the Harry Potter novels and films, he insisted the similarities are a complete coincidence.

But that doesn't stop strangers who see him out in public identifying the likeness in a less-than-subtle way - from whispers to pointing fingers.

Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear all about it. Get in touch via yourmirror@mirror.co.uk

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