Rugby: Dwarf who was tossed by drunken England rugby fan dies aged 42

Martin Henderson was severely injured after being tossed by drunken rugby fans. Photo / SWNS.com

A dwarf who rose to worldwide prominence five years ago after he was tossed by a drunken rugby fan has died aged 42.

Martin Henderson suffered serious injuries after being picked up and thrown to the ground. He blamed England's rugby team for giving his attacker the idea.

The life-changing attack on the then 37-year-old came shortly after the England players visited a 'dwarf-tossing' competition at a Queenstown bar during the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Henderson suffered injuries to his back and legs after being dropped on to the hard ground as he had a cigarette outside a pub in Wincanton, Somerset where he was celebrating his birthday on October 7, 2011.

The 1.27m actor from Milborne Port, Somerset, reportedly died a few months ago, according to former partner Rebecca Henderson.

Henderson's story went around the world when Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage asked fans to Google his name during his Golden Globes acceptance speech in 2012.

Dinklage was picking up the Best Supporting Actor award at the ceremony in California when he said: "I want to mention a gentleman I'm thinking about in England.

"His name is Martin Henderson. Google him."

#Henderson began trending across the world.

He suffered from spinal stenosis, struggled to walk properly and lost the strength in his back and legs. He eventually need a walking frame.

Henderson more recently was thrust into the spotlight after two men allegedly broke into his home in the middle of the night and kidnapped him.

He was allegedly made to drive to a bank on Wednesday, February 17, in Sherborne in his specially-adapted car.

He reportedly never came back to the house after the incident. One man has been charged, jointly with another, for robbing Martin's mobile phone and a bottle of aftershave on February 17.