Children’s rugby coach Danny Ligairi set to make acting debut in BBC One drama Taboo

Danny Ligairi: From field to film

Children’s rugby coach Danny Ligairi will make his acting debut in Tom Hardy’s new BBC One drama Taboo on Saturday evening (7 January), four years after meeting Hardy in a park.

Danny, who lives in Rochdale, was coaching an U14 rugby session at a park in Richmond, London when a dog interrupted their practice.

He said: “I was coaching rugby in Richmond when a dog interrupted. The kids were saying, ‘it’s Tom Hardy.’ He came over and said, ‘dogs know good people.’”

Danny also met Tom again in the park when he was out cycling, when he stopped to chat with Danny. They bonded over a conversation about Danny’s father, Ilisoni Ligairi, a former SAS major from Fiji, one of eight chosen during the 1960s.

Danny said: “We did stay in contact after that. The producers called me in January last year and told me to get a train to London. Three days later I was sat in a trailer on set with my own changing room. It was surreal.

“The rumour was they were looking to cast this character and Tom said, ‘I know this guy, ask him’.”

Danny will play the role of Polynesian sailor Martinez, and will feature in six of the eight episodes of the show about the East India Trading company, which is set during the early 1800s.

He said: “I was always the first in and the last out of make up. I had a lot of input with my character and we really researched his tattoos.

“At the wrap party, Tom said ‘thanks a lot for everything, see you on the other side’ and gave me a hug and others told me ‘your life is about to change.’

“I’ve been attending castings and been to premieres and met so many people; I went to the Rogue One Premiere in London and I’ve got two more roles lined up so far.”

He added: “I will always put teaching kids first and acting will work around it. I’m always going to stick to my goal; I love teaching.

“I want people to keep striving to be what they can and take every opportunity.”

Danny, who was born in Hereford and grew up in Worcester, moved to Rochdale around 16 years ago where he met his partner, Nina Ratu. They have three children.

He has been coaching sports since 1993, travelling worldwide coaching children.

He said: “There’s also been talks of producing a documentary about my life called ‘From Field to Film’.”

Taboo airs on Saturday 7 January on BBC One at 9pm.