The truth about David Bowie's Labyrinth codpiece... revealed!

Virgin Radio

26 Nov 2022, 20:28

Warwick Davis shares all!

David Bowie had “seven pairs of socks down his tights” to play Jareth the Goblin King in the 1986 fantasy cult classic Labyrinth, according to co-star Warwick Davis.

The film, which was directed by Muppets creator Jim Henson and executive produced by George Lucas, sees Jennifer Connelly as 16-year-old Sarah embark on a quest to reach the center of an enormous, otherworldly maze to rescue her infant half-brother Toby, whom she wished away to Jareth.

A commercial flop upon release, the film has garnered popularity in the years that have followed. The size of Jareth's - um - crotch has been the subject of much discussion.

Now, in an interview with the Guardian, Davis, who performed as part of the Goblin Corps in the film, described his experience working with the rock 'n roll legend on set.

“He was very, very down to earth on the set, by the way,” Davis said. “Wanted to go by Dave, despite this huge wig and seven pairs of socks down his tights.”

Davis is set to reprise his role of sorcerer Willow Ufgood in upcoming Disney+ series Willow, which serves as a sequel to the 1988 film of the same name. Joanne Whalley, Kevin Pollak and Rick Overton also reprise their roles.

Val Kilmer, who played Madmartigan in the original film, is confirmed to not be returning for the series. Executive producer Jonathan Kasdan has said his character, however, will be felt in “spirit”.

“Val’s a huge part of this," Kasdan told Yahoo Entertainment. "The first conversation I had, when Warwick and I got the green light to do this, was with Val. We wanted this character to be a part of the story. We wanted him to be in the show.

“Because we were shooting during [the COVID-19 lockdowns], he wasn’t able to come to Wales and shoot with us. But he is in the show in a big way. And we’re pretty excited about it… Madmartigan lives on.”

'Willow' is scheduled to be released on Disney+ on November 30th.