Kit Harington turned up to Game of Thrones audition with black eye after getting into fight in McDonald's

The actor thanked the man who punched him for probably helping him land the role

Kit Harington (AFP/Getty)

Turning up for a regular job interview with a black eye isn’t ideal, however when you’re auditioning to play Jon Snow on Game of Thrones it appears it doesn't hamper your chances too much.

Kit Harington, who has played Jon Snow in all six seasons of the popular HBO series, revealed he turned up with a black eye to the audition that catapulted his career and transformed him into one of the most talked about characters on television. Harington sustained the black eye after getting into a fight in McDonalds the night before his audition.

Relaying the story to W magazine, the 29-year-old said he and a woman he used to date were at the fast food chain when a man on the table they were sharing started hurling abusive insults towards her.

After trying to calm the situation down and defend his date, Harington apparently challenged the man to a fight, even though he claims he’d never been in one before. This backfired as once his opponent stood up, it became clear to Harington he may have taken on the wrong guy.

“Of course, he’d been sat down the whole time,” he said. “He got up – and he just kept going.”

Harington said he threw the first punch, so not to be called a wimp, but, in the end, he “got battered”.

Despite the unfortunate incident, it evidently served Harington well, who told his unidentified nemesis: “I think that man who punched me in the face may have helped me get the job so thank you."