Not chubby Dudley anymore! Harry Melling is unrecognisable from his Harry Potter character in latest Twitter photo... after transforming just like Neville Longbottom

  • Harry Melling, 26, played Harry Potter's brutish cousin Dudley
  • The actor has lost more than 4st since his role in the popular film franchise
  • Latest of Harry Potter alumni to dramatically transform his appearance

Harry Melling is known for playing Dudley, the rotund brat of a cousin who kept Harry Potter locked under the stairs.

But the 26-year-old surprised fans when he posted a photograph of himself on Twitter looking drastically different after dropping from 16st to 11st 5lb.

The London actor is the latest of the Harry Potter alumni to transform after his co-star Matthew Lewis - who played Neville Longbottom - famously did the same thing.

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Harry Melling posted his new look on Twitter while having drinks with a friend, looking drastically different from his Harry Potter days

Harry Melling posted his new look on Twitter while having drinks with a friend, looking drastically different from his Harry Potter days

Harry, who was pictured sitting outside having a drink with a friend, was sporting much shorter hair and looked noticeably slimmer in a blue button-up shirt.

In fact, the actor had already lost so much weight that he was almost recast for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part One, but he ended up wearing a fat suit and keeping his job. 

Once a hated character on screen, he was spoiled by his parents while his cousin was cast aside.

Television Programme: Harry Potter with Harry Melling as Dudley Dursley

Harry pictured middle as Dudley with his screen father and mother Vernon and Petunia Dursley

Harry Melling, who has launched a career in theatre, attends an after party  in London following his opening night performance in The Pride

Harry Melling, who has launched a career in theatre, attends an after party in London following his opening night performance in The Pride

Dudley, on the set of the Harry Potter films, looks noticably tubbier in an argyle jumper

Dudley, on the set of the Harry Potter films, looks noticably tubbier in an argyle jumper

It was Harry's mother Joanna Troughton who helped him get the part aged ten after sending his photograph to casting directors.

He told the Telegraph: 'When I got the part, I thought: "Ooh, I'm in a film", not that I was cast as fat and ugly.'

Though he has not enjoyed the same stardom as co-stars Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe since filming wrapped, he has carved out a successful career in theatre - even writing his own play, Peddling, which looked at homelessness in London.

Fresh-faced aged ten when Harry was chosen from millions to be Dudley in the film franchise
Harry attends the Grand Opening of the Warner Bros. studio tour in London in 2012

Harry was a fresh-faced ten-year-old when he was chosen from millions to be Dudley in the popular film franchise. He already looked very different at an event in London in 2013

He's one of a number of Harry Potter alumni to radically change, most noticeably being Matthew Lewis.

Although he did not have to contend with the whole audience hating him, Matthew's character podgy Hogwarts' schoolboy Neville Longbottom was awkward and overlooked. 

To play the part, Lewis wore yellow false teeth, shoes two sizes too big and prosthetics behind his ears to make them stick out. 

Actor Matthew Lewis, pictured on Instagram, caused excitement when he transformed from gawky Neville Longbottom into a leading man

Actor Matthew Lewis, pictured on Instagram, caused excitement when he transformed from gawky Neville Longbottom into a leading man

Young Matthew Lewis had crooked teeth and floppy hair when the films started
When the Harry Potter films finished he was groomed and bulked up with a personal trainer

The awkward teenager with floppy hair and crooked teeth has since blossomed thanks to a personal trainer

Throughout JK Rowling's books and film adaptations, Neville was the subject of ridicule by school villain Draco Malfoy and his gang.

But that has all changed since he showed off his newly acquired abs and rock-hard physique.

He unveiled his new look in 2011 at the final film premiere, after taking on a personal trainer and straightening his teeth for a Hollywood smile.

As Potter fans know, Neville turns out to be quite the hero in the final part of the story and ends up surrounded by admirers - even catching the attention of Luna Lovegood.

For a sexy shoot in May's issue of Attitude magazine, Matthew was pictured lounging on a bar stool in his smalls and not much else.

Since his transformation Matthew has landed several plum roles, most recently filming with Game Of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke for Me Before You.

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