Shane Board was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 10. Five years later, in 2003, he was a top martial arts star. But these days he’s busier with different pursuits – namely his music and acting career, which, most recently, saw him filming on the set of the fifth Harry Potter film as Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt body double.
How Shane manages to make his life magical
How did you get to be the stunt body double for Daniel Radcliffe in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'?
I never auditioned. I was picked out from my agency for my look. I was asked in November 2005 if I’d like to do it and was told I had it in March 2006. Two days later I was on the set and couldn’t believe it.
I’ve also just been taken on as a Harry look-a-like by an agency. I don’t want to take it too seriously though – it’s not that cool to be Harry Potter at 18 years old!
Did you get to meet Daniel Radcliffe or any others of the cast?
I can’t talk about it too much as you have to sign an agreement – it's very top secret up there. But I can say that, yes, the cast was there and everyone is really nice.
Will people be able to spot the switch from Daniel to you?
You won’t be able to see the switch from me to Dan – they are too precise for that, even down to the scar on Harry’s head.
What was it like to be on the set?
The scenery is amazing and very cleverly done. When my mum saw Privet Drive, she thought it was Brookside because she’d never watched any of the films before, and she asked the crew, "Is that set for Brookside?" How embarrassing!
Will you be in future Potter films?
I’d like to think they’ll ask me back to the next film. It was great fun. It's very strict on set and the days are very long. But it was an experience people would pay hundreds of pounds for – just being in ‘Potter world’.
How was your diabetes during the filming?
My diabetes was a nuisance while filming although we were kept supplied with food so I knew I wouldn’t go low. It makes me feel different having to worry about my blood glucose and eating and injection times – but I get round it.
Before this, you were in a period drama that went out on BBC2 – what was that like?
It was an amazing experience. The drama was about HG Wells and I played Frank Wells, his son. Michael Sheen played HG Wells.
Wow – he’s a Hollywood legend! Was he friendly to you?
Michael was lovely – everyone on set was!
HG Wells co-founded Diabetes UK (known in those days as the British Diabetic Association) – did the storyline go into that at all?
Really? I never knew HG Wells was involved at all in the making of Diabetes UK. To my knowledge, it wasn’t mentioned in the programme.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to get started in your line of work?
Go for it – follow your dream. When I was diagnosed my whole world came falling in – but I don’t let diabetes stop me doing what I love doing. You can still be successful with diabetes.
If you’re not academic or you fail at school, you can still make something of your life. I struggled at school – I was unhappy, I felt I never fitted in and part of me felt different because of my diabetes. When I got a part in a professional pantomime while I was still at school, I was so happy – I got the chance to mix with other children who had the same interests as me. I couldn’t wait for the day to come that I could leave school and start living for my dreams.
You must have met lots of celebs along the way who are also living their own dreams.
I have met so many celebrities, including Louisa Lytton from EastEnders (pictured above). I have been to The X Factor live show, I’ve even been a witness to the BBC’s National Lottery draw. There I met Dale Winton, Gary Lineker and the cast of Little Britain. I judged last year’s ‘South Coast Idol’ and got the chance to hang out with the 2004 X Factor winner Steve Brookstein who is a really great guy. And this year I judged the auditions for the ‘FX Factor’, which is Devon’s biggest talent search. I donated my fee for this to Diabetes UK.
I’ve also done three shows of my own to raise money for Diabetes UK medical research – I think it’s important as new things are happening to make diabetes easier and I hope one day it can be cured.
So what’s your latest project?
I am working at the Jools Holland complex in London with some top people and recording my debut single followed by an album, which we hope will get me a record deal. I’m also going to be doing lots of festivals and gigs. (By the way, can I just say thanks to Well Groomed – they are a local wedding hire company who sponsor my stage clothes.)
And who knows what next. Things are happening all the time for me.
What is your style of music like?
I love singing all types of music, from swing to chart hits, but my favourite are original tracks and my dream is to be able to perform a whole show of my original music.
Can readers download your music?
I have websites at www.shaneboard.com and at www.myspace.com/shanestuartofficial – some old tracks are on there but none of my new recordings are available as yet. There’s also my fansite at www.myspace.com/shanesfanspace.
Any last words of wisdom?
Happiness is more important than fame.
Your comments
That must be awesome =D I would love to be a stunt dood ;)
- Lil' Chazza