It’s a big change from Walford.
He’s been one of the fixtures on EastEnders for a number of years.
But Shrimpy wasn’t always flogging wares in Walford – and actually dabbled in the world of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a little while.
Ben Champniss has featured heavily as a background market salesman, and even the occasional bigger plot line, since he first joined the popular soap in April 2014.
But it turns out that he’s been in the extra game for a number of years – and actually appeared alongside the Boy Who Lived in the very last of the Harry Potter films.
He can be seen standing on Platform 9 3/4 in the final moments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II as Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny wave farewell to their kids heading to Hogwarts.
Despite watching the series what feels like a million and one times – especially with the holidays having come to an end – we have to admit, we didn’t recognise him at first.
At least, not until some eagle-eyed Twitter users began to point it out.
A social media user wrote:
“Shrimpy from eastenders is in Harry Potter. I am mind blown.”
One person quipped:
“Just watched he end of Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Part 2… I knew Shrimpy was special but a wizard! Are you under cover on the Square?”
Someone else added:
“Shrimpy what are you doing in Harry Potter? Aren’t you supposed to be covering someone’s stall?”
But it turns out that that’s not the only role he had in Harry Potter.
Ben is also credited with having been a Snatcher and a Deatheater in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
https://twitter.com/lucydunn_/status/947890092596633600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.her.ie%2Fceleb%2Fturns-eastenders-actor-harry-potter-never-even-realised-382077
Just watched he end of Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Part 2… I knew Shrimpy was special but a Wizard!!! Are you under cover on the square? @benchampniss #eastenders #harrypotter
— Jamie Waring (@waring_jr) December 31, 2017
Shrimpy what u doin in Harry Potter aren't you supposed to be covering someone's stall pic.twitter.com/N4MekI5wzk
— ellen🐙 (@ellen_thompson) September 2, 2017
