Moulton Chapel man turns hand to TikTok after spending nearly 15 years as UK’s official Ron Weasley lookalike
A man who makes a living out of looking like a famous wizard will now turn his hand at becoming a social media influencer in order to ‘express himself’.
Lewis Parker, 33, of Moulton Chapel, has spent nearly 15 years building a career as a lookalike of Rupert Grint – who is most well known for his role in Harry Potter as Ron Weasley.
After being compared to the actor throughout his childhood, Lewis contacted an agency, who gave him his first gig within a week of meeting.
He has since attended celebrity birthday parties, corporate events, opened a shop and took part in meet and greets.
Lewis said: “Ever since I was a child people told me I looked like Rupert Grint as we are a similar age. My mum tried to get me into a lookalike agency when I was younger, but I was getting bullied at the time for being ginger and didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.
“A few years later I sent some head shots to the agency and they instantly rang me back.
“They do say everybody has got a twin and I think I’m fortunate enough to know who mine is.”
Lewis works as a local model mason at his family business which enables him to work flexible hours to fit in events.
Some of the celebrities he has been able to meet through his role include actress, Miriam Margolyes, who played Professor Sprout in Harry Potter, broadcaster, Johnathan Ross, comedian Jon Richardson and actors, Warwick Davis, Chris Rankin, Jason Donnavon and Spencer Wilding.
The 33 year-old has also been compared to singer Ed Sheeran, but is the UK’s official Ron Weasley’s lookalike.
Lewis has also appeared on Channel 4 series ‘Lookalikes’, and is often approached by members of the public who comment on his similar looks and likeness to Rupert Grint. He added: “I’ve got used to the fact that people take me as Ron Weasley and people do believe I am him on a daily basis – I always get approached on nights out or whilst I’m out shopping – it’s crazy.
“Over the years it has become quite natural for me to do. It was quite scary to start with, as being the centre of attention and having the pressure of being someone else was quite daunting.
“It has become a way of life for me. It brings a lot of joy to people and I love doing it – I can’t help looking like Ron Weasely.
“After I was bullied for being ginger, It has definitely turned a negative into a positive and I also feel that over the years red heads are more accepted.”
Lewis is now turning his hand to social media platform, TikTok, where he hopes to become a full time content creator.
Following the launch of his channel in December last year, the Ron Weasley look-alike is now fast approaching 85,000 followers and 1 million likes.
He added: “TikTok is starting to take over my life as I am having to post daily and my followers expect me to do live videos daily – it’s demanding but nice.
“I think the Ron Weasley side of things are coming to a close. I’ll be turning 34 this year and I can’t pretend to be a 14-year-old wizard for the foreseeable future, however TikTok has definitely opened doors for me to show and express myself more in the future.
“I am who I am and I do have my own personality and it can sometimes get a bit tedious when people keep asking if I’m the real Rupert Grint.
“I wish I started it sooner but I’ve still had a very good run as a look-alike and I continue to get a lot of work from it. If Rupert continues, I can continue but not necessarily as Ron Weasley.”
