Harry Potter fans spellbound by final film’s world premiere

Thousands of Harry Potter fanatics screamed for the stars of the epic movie series as they hit the London red carpet yesterday for the final film’s world premiere.

Actors from the saga that has enthralled children and adults across the globe gathered for the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, the action-packed finale to one of the most successful movie franchises of all time.

The film sees boy wizard Potter take on the evil Lord Voldemort in a climactic showdown, the second of two movies based on the seventh and final Potter book by British author J. K. Rowling.

Fans from around the world have slept out in London’s Trafalgar Square, some for more than six days, desperate to catch a last glimpse of the film’s stars all together. Organisers said 8,000 people had gathered at the event.

Some wore sorcerers’ capes, while others waved magic wands or were dressed as their favourite characters.

Despite the excitement, some fans could not hide their sadness at bidding farewell to the Potter magic.

Tiffany Milow, 22, a London-based student from Dallas, Texas, said: “I’ve been reading the books since elementary school. I’m torn apart that this is the last one, I’m devastated.”

Rowidah Alnajar, a 20-year-old Saudi woman who lives in London, said she had spent the night in a sleeping bag to be in position.

“It’s really important for me. It’s the end of my childhood. I can’t believe it,” she said.

Lou Ravelli, 13, waving a fake wand and wearing a sorcerer’s cloak, said: “It’s the greatest day of my life. I’m a lifelong fan. I’ll be so happy if I get to meet them!”

Rupert Grint, who plays Potter’s sidekick Ron Weasley, said it was an emotional time for the actors too.

“These last few months I’ve been in a bit of denial, I think, accepting the fact that it really is over,” he told BBC television.

“When I saw the posters in capital letters, ‘It all ends’, it really does imprint that on the mind. I will miss this. It’s been amazing.”

Director David Yates told reporters: “With Harry Potter, they (the fans) like the characters, coming back to see them, it’s a fantastic world that’s really involving and you want to see how it all comes out.”

That chimed with Kay Miller, 42, from Stirling in central Scotland.

Dressed in a Griffindor scarf and hat and sporting a temporary Slitherin tattoo, she said: “There’s a fantastic atmosphere down here. I’ve met people from all around the world.

“I really want complete satisfaction from the film. I want to have the whole saga wrapped up so that we’re not left hanging!”

Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Potter, is taking time off from appearing in a Broadway musical to attend the premiere alongside Hermione Granger actress Emma Watson and Grint.