After Dinner SpeakersMartin Bayfield is a former British Lion and England International rugby player, broadcaster and winner of two Grand Slams.
Martin is one of the best after-dinner speakers, awards hosts and established auctioneers on the corporate circuit.
Delivering entertaining rugby anecdotes with impeccable comic timing, alongside his tales from the Police and his time as Robbie Coltrane’s body double in Harry Potter, Martin is an all-around accomplished entertainer.
Between 1985 and 1989, Martin served with the Metropolitan Police before transferring to Bedfordshire Police, where he juggled playing rugby and serving in the forces. He made the transition into his full-time rugby career in 1990
‘Bayfs’ made his rugby debut for England in 1991 and was a seven-year first-team member.
He earned 31 international caps, including playing in the 1992 and 1995 Grand Slam sides.
He was a 1995 World Cup Squad member selected for five out of six tests.
Martin also played in all three tests on the British Lions tour to New Zealand.
Unfortunately, he was forced to retire early from the game after sustaining a neck injury during a training session.
Martin is a recipient of the title Rugby Football Player of the Year.
Broadcasting:
In 2012, Martin was confirmed as a regular presenter on BBC1’s long-running show Crimewatch.
As a broadcaster, Martin presented the NFL and World’s Strongest Man. He also worked as a rugby correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Martin has been involved in ITV’s rugby coverage, initially as their England reporter in 2011 and supporting more widely as a pitch-side reporter across all major tournament fixtures for both Rugby World Cup and RBS / Guinness Six Nations. He was also ITV’s live presenter for the BT World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge 2015.
Martin has been one of the longest-running Live Broadcast Presenters for BT Sport (now TNT Sports) across all Premiership Rugby and European Rugby Union tournaments, as well as presenting popular shows such as Rugby Tonight for the channel. Martin is the lead presenter for Premier Sports across EPCR Championship and Challenge Cup.
Furthermore, he is also well known for serving as the body and stunt double of the much-loved giant Rubeus Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, in the entire Harry Potter franchise. He has also appeared as a Cyclops in Wrath of the Titans!
Martin was a finalist in BBC One’s Celebrity MasterChef 2018, continuously wowing the judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, with his imaginative dishes and culinary knowledge.
Martin is the Vice President of the London Playing Fields Foundation, a charity that transforms lives through sport and physical activity by protecting, providing, and promoting playing fields in London.
After-Dinner Speaker Martin Bayfield:
Standing at 6ft 10in, Martin Bayfield makes an excellent addition to any top table with his entertaining rugby-related anecdotes.
Martin is one of the UK’s best rugby after-dinner speakers, a fantastic host, MC and auctioneer.
