Dwarf tossed by drunken England rugby fan has died aged 42  (2024)

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A dwarf who rose to worldwide fame five years ago after he was tossed by a drunken Rugby fan has died aged 42.

Martin Henderson suffered serious injuries in the prank which was blamed on the notorious antics of the England rugby team.

His story went around the world when Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage asked fans to Google his name during his Golden Globes victory speech in January 2012.

But 4ft 2in Martin, from Milborne Port, Somerset, reportedly died a few months ago, according to former partner Rebecca Henderson.

Martin's name was trending worldwide on Twitter in 2012 thanks to fellow dwarf actor Peter Dinklage.

The US star was picking up the Best Supporting Actor award at the glittering ceremony in California when he said: 'I want to mention a gentleman I'm thinking about in England.

'His name is Martin Henderson. Google him.'

This came after he was told he could end up in a wheelchair because of injuries sustained when he was picked up and dropped on the floor by a drunken yob.

The incident took place while he out celebrating his 37th birthday on October 7, 2011 when he had stepped outside for a cigarette.

He suffered from spinal stenosis and struggled to walk properly since and lost the strength in his back and legs. He went on to need a walking frame.

The 4ft 2inch actor, who played a goblin in two Harry Potter films, blamed the England rugby union team for the incident during the team's World Cup campaign.

It came one month after star Mike Tindall and several of his teammates admitted attending a 'dwarf tossing' event in a New Zealand bar.

Martin more recently was thrust into the spotlight after two men allegedly broke into his home in the middle of the night and kidnapped him.

He was allegedly made to drive to a bank on Wednesday, February 17, in Sherborne in his specially-adapted Ford Galaxy car.

At the time a neighbour said: 'He's scared to live here now and has gone away for a few days.

'We moved here to get away from it all as Milborne Port is a quiet place; I've never seen anything like this happen before here.

'It's very scary; there were armed police all over the courtyard the next day. I originally thought it was people just going upstairs.'

He reportedly never came back to the house after the incident and new people are now living there.

One man has been charged, jointly with another, for robbing Martin's mobile phone and a bottle of aftershave on February 17.

The man was also alleged, jointly with another, to have unlawfully and by force or fraud took or carried away Mr Henderson against his will on the same date.

He is due to stand trial in the New Year.

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