Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter co-star pay emotional visit to badly injured stunt double

The stars of Harry Potter turned out to visit Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double yesterday after he suffered serious spinal injuries on the set of the latest film.
Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the blockbuster movies, joined Radcliffe to offer support to David Holmes, who is still receiving treatment at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in north London.
The stress of the emotional visit clearly took a toll on 19-year-old Radcliffe, who lit up a cigarette as he emerged from the spinal unit.

It proved too much for Felton's girlfriend Jade Olivia too - she had to be comforted by the actor as they left the hospital arm-in-arm.




Support: Daniel Radcliffe, Tom Felton and girlfriend Jade Olivia stopped in at the spinal unit of at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in north London yesterday

Holmes was rehearsing a flying scene involving an explosion when he plummeted to the ground on January 28.
He remained conscious after the accident but told crew members: ‘I can’t feel my legs.’ He was taken to hospital as fears grew that he had suffered a paralysing back injury.
A statement released on behalf of Mr Holmes's family thanked people for their thoughts and prayers and added: 'We are trusting in the expertise of the medical staff who are caring for David.'

Holmes, 25, a former competitive gymnast, had been rehearsing scenes for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows at the Leavesden film studios near Watford.

A source said at the time: ‘It is thought he may have been caught by the explosion and hit the ground very hard.


Emotional visit: Felton comforted his girlfriend as they emerged from the
spinal unit


VIP visitor: Radcliffe, who was in New York when David Holmes was injured on January 28, spent time with his stunt double

‘He told crew members who went to help him he couldn’t feel anything from the waist down.


Harry Puffer: The actor was spotted smoking outside the hospital

'Everyone is just hoping he makes a good recovery. It has come as a terrible shock.’

Holmes, who has worked as Radcliffe’s body double on all the Potter films, was initially taken to A&E at Watford General Hospital, but transferred to a specialist spinal injury hospital when the extent of his injuries became apparent.
He is featured on the DVD bonus features for Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire. Radcliffe is shown asking him for advice before he shoots a scene where he has to slide off a roof.
Holmes, who is wearing Harry Potter glasses and a brown wig for the scene, reassures the actor and gives him a pat on the arm.

Radcliffe, who was in New York at the time of the accident, has previously spoken about the stunts which Mr Holmes is required to perform.

‘I do the majority of the stunts but there are some where it’s too high a risk,’ he said.

The actor also described Mr Holmes as an ‘amazing gymnast’.

Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double 'paralysed' after explosion on film set of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows

Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double has suffered serious spinal injuries on the set of the latest Harry Potter film.
David Holmes was rehearsing a flying scene involving an explosion when he plummeted to the ground.
He remained conscious but told crew members: ‘I can’t feel my legs.’ He was taken to hospital as fears grew that he had suffered a paralysing back injury.


Injured: David Holmes, left, with Daniel Radcliffe on the set of The Goblet of Fire

Mr Holmes, 25, a former competitive gymnast, has been rehearsing scenes for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows at the Leavesden film studios near Watford.
Things went wrong on Wednesday as he was practicing a flying sequence in a harness.
An explosion, which was part of the stunt, caused him to fall to the ground.
A source said: ‘It is thought he may have been caught by the explosion and hit the ground very hard.


Accident scene: Leavesden Studios, near Watford, where the stuntman was filming for the latest Harry Potter film when he was injured in an explosion on set

He told crew members who went to help him he couldn’t feel anything from the waist down.

'Everyone is just hoping he makes a good recovery. It has come as a terrible shock.’
Mr Holmes, who has worked as Radcliffe’s body double on all the Potter films, was initially taken to A&E at Watford General Hospital,
but transferred to a specialist spinal injury hospital when the extent of his injuries became apparent.


Boy hero: Daniel Radcliffe as schoolboy wizard i the Order of the Phoenix

His parents are understood to be by his bedside at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, North-West London.
Last night, there was no answer at the home in Leigh- on- Sea, Essex, Mr Holmes shares with 24-year-old Gemma Crowley, who is believed to be his girlfriend.
A spokesman for Leavesden studios said: ‘We can confirm that a
member of the Harry Potter production was injured in an accident that took place on Wednesday.
‘Out of respect for his family, we are unable to comment further at this stage, but can confirm that it was not a member of the cast.’


Footage from all of the Harry Potter movies has been filmed at Leavesden Studios, which has permanent sets for Dumbledore's study and Hagrid's hut

Mr Holmes is featured on the DVD bonus features for Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire. Radcliffe is shown asking him for advice before he shoots a scene where he has to slide off a roof.
Holmes, who is wearing Harry Potter glasses and a brown wig for the scene, reassures the actor and gives him a pat on the arm.
Radcliffe, 19, has spoken about the stunts which Mr Holmes is required to perform. ‘I do the majority of the stunts but there are some where it’s too high a risk,’ he said.

The actor also described Mr Holmes as an ‘amazing gymnast’.
It is not known whether Radcliffe, who is currently in New York, has been made aware of the accident.

'Death Eaters' target London in spectacular new Harry Potter film

This spectacular sequence is London seen through the eyes of Harry Potter's enemies the Death Eaters.

The scenes - in which evil Lord Voldemort's henchmen launch an air attack on Trafalgar Square and other landmarks, including the Millennium Bridge - form the centrepiece of the next cinema version of the young wizard's adventures.


A Volde move: Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters attack Trafalgar Square in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince


Dumble-score: The Millennium Bridge comes under fire in the newly released movie trailer

The action unfolds on a new trailer, already one of the most downloaded on the internet, as fans scramble for a foretaste of Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince.

But the assault on London is an invention which does not feature in JK Rowling's original book.

It is the first time the series has deviated significantly from the novels and will surprise many fans


Destruction: London's Millenium Bridge is shattered in spectacular fashion


Allies: Harry with head teacher Dumbledore


Play ball: No Harry Potter film is complete without a game of Quidditch


Up in flames: Snape watches on as Hagrid's hut burns down

'It was a pretty spectacular opening,' a member of a test audience in Chicago wrote last month.
The rest of the film did not get such a glowing response however, with some branding the film 'too romantic' and 'underwhelming'.
'The problem with all of this romance is All of This Romance. It dominates the movie, drawing our focus away not only from major plot points – which fall disastrously through the cracks – but also deters the mood,' wrote one anonymous reviewer on a movie blog after the screening.
The Half-Blood Prince is the second of the series to be directed by Briton David Yates.









'Once you're hooked into these stories, it's really difficult to let go,' he has said.

'The audience has grown up with these characters. I think that gives them a very special relationship. I can't think of any other movie franchise that has had that.

'They started out at 10 or 11, and now they're 18 and 19.'

The movie, out on 17 July, will be followed by the final part of the series, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - which will be split into two films when it is released in 2011.

By then Danie l Radcliffe, who plays Harry, will be 22, while the wizard is only 17 in the final book

Emma only had eyes for Jay

Dressed as her character Hermione in jeans and a checked shirt, Emma cuddled up to Jay in the sunshine as crew members set up the shoot.
Despite being linked to Italian actor Roberto Agnillera and Edinburgh University philosophy student Francis Boulle last summer, Emma only had eyes for Jay.
Emma started dating the Prince William-lookalike last March, shortly before her 18th birthday.
They holidayed together in Ibiza in July with Bee Shaffer, the daughter of Vogue editor Anna Wintour.


It must be love: Emma sneaks a kiss with Jay Barrymore in between takes on location in Scotland for the new Harry Potter film

Speaking about her love life recently, Emma declined to give any details about Jay, but said: 'People I’ve dated have been friends of friends. I’d be unlikely to go out with anyone famous. I just wouldn’t.'
Prior to dating Jay, Emma was in a relationship with rugby player Tom Ducker.
After a low-key family meal to celebrate her birthday last Wednesday, Emma spent the weekend filming in Scotland instead of out partying, so Jay decided to join her in the romantic location.
After spending most of her birthday filming at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, a dressed-down Emma returned to her father's London home in a tracksuit for a quiet dinner.
Writing on her official website, Emma admitted she had been too busy to think about her birthday.
She said: 'It looks like my birthday has snuck up on me. I sooo don't want to be 19. I can't believe how much has happened.
'So just a quiet one this year. As you know everything is so busy with my filming schedule. I'm really looking forward to a home-cooked dinner with my family.'

Affectionate: Emma leads her Prince William-lookalike beau through the Scottish hillside

Hogwarts' mature students: Harry and Hermione hit the town in new Potter film

They were ten years old when they won their parts in the Harry Potter movie.
But time has moved on, and Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are now seasoned actors, filming their seventh feature film.
As they recorded their scenes in Piccadilly Circus last night the three were virtually unrecognisable from the fresh-faced 10 and 11-year-olds who were introduced to the world back in 2000.


Dramatic scene: A glamorous Emma Watson looks scared as she films alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint in London's Piccadilly Circus last night

Then an innocent Daniel told reporters 'I think I'm a tiny bit like Harry because I'd like to have an owl', while Emma insisted she was not as 'goody two-shoes' as her character.

Radcliffe, now 19, who plays the young wizard, brought Piccadilly Circus to a standstill as he shot scenes for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.
Along with Rupert, 20, and Emma, 19, who play Harry's friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, he was reportedly filming what Harry Potter fans would recognise as the 'cafe attack' scene from the book.




Tired? Daniel, Rupert and Emma were all caught yawning on set as they filmed late at night in London

The three joined up to 400 extras to film until 5am today.
The scene takes place after the trio of friends flee the wedding of Ron's older brother Bill Weasley to Fleur Delacourt after finding out that Rufus Scrimgeour is dead and the Ministry of Magic is now under Voldemort's control.
With the boys dressed in suits and Hermione in a stunning red dress, the pair arrive at a Muggle cafe, where they believe they are safe until they spot two Death Eaters.


Fresh faced: Rupert, Daniel and Emma in 2001 in a scene from Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone


And action! Daniel, Rupert and Emma walk through the arches of the Trocadero in Piccadilly Circus

The Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling's last book in her best-selling series, will be split into two parts for the big-screen adaptation.

The cast and crew started filming the first part in February.

Part I is due for release in 2010, with Part II out in 2011. The prequel, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, will be released in the UK on 15 July.
It was originally scheduled for release last November, but was delayed so Warner Bros studio had a guaranteed 'major summer blockbuster' after the Hollywood writers' strike delayed a lot of movies.


On the run: Emma leads the trio to the Muggle cafe after fleeing the wedding



Fear: Emma and Rupert spot the Death Eaters arriving



Getting ready for a close-up: Emma is given fake bloodied injuries by a make-up artist, while a crew member checks Daniel is ready for screen

Harry Potter and The Soppy Sequel... it's too romantic, moan fans at secret screening

If you've been eagerly awaiting the latest Harry Potter movie, prepare to lower those expectations - reviewers from a test screening say the new film is a major disappointment.
The sixth instalment of the film franchise, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, has been branded 'too romantic', 'a disappointment' and 'underwhelming'.
Key scenes from the book have also been deleted, while others that have been added were called 'pointless'.


Not what the fans want: Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) kisses Cho Chung (Katie Leung) in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

The test audience were shown the film at a secret screening in Chicago, where previous Potter movies have also been tested.
But the reaction to the latest film shows the boy wizard's adventures may be losing their magic.
'The problem with all of this romance is All of This Romance. It dominates the movie, drawing our focus away not only from major plot points – which fall disastrously through the cracks – but also deters the mood,' wrote one anonymous reviewer on a movie blog.


Not wizard: the latest installment of the Harry Potter films, with Tom Felton, above, who plays Draco Malfoy, has been called 'too romantic'

Another reviewer complained about the missing scenes.

In the book, Harry has a series of memories that help him fight his enemy Voldemort, but these have been cut to just three in the film.
'Why is it that the filmmakers decided it was more important to focus on teenage love rather than what are inarguably critical plot points?' ranted the reviewer.
The film's release has already been delayed to this summer, but angry fans say the producers may need even more time to fix the problems.


Half baked: fans say the film, starring Alan Rickman (l), Helena Bonham Carter (c) and Helen McCory (r), does not live up to expectations

'They have almost a year before this film is released, so there’s plenty of time for editing, which is good news because this cut was quite underwhelming,' wrote another blogger.
But it's not all bad news.
A dramatic fight scene at the beginning of the film, which doesn't appear in the book, was approved by the audience.
'The film opens with an assault on a bridge in London by Death Eaters... It was a pretty spectacular opening,' wrote a member of the test audience.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is due to open nationwide in July this year.

No chance of getting this lot Muggled up: Harry Potter and the less than convincing lookalikes

Hopefully some technical wizardry will mean Harry Potter fans don't notice the difference in the film.
But as these three stand-ins for the young stars appeared on an outside set in the early hours of yesterday, it was hard to imagine getting them muggled, er, muddled up with the real thing.
The dismal doppelgangers were shooting in London's Piccadilly Circus for the two-part series finale, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.


Stand-ins: A rotter of a Potter, a stranger Granger and a measly Weasley


Magic: Harry Potter's real stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint

Their duties included helping to rehearse and set up shots while the real actors - Daniel Radcliffe, 19, who stars as young wizard Harry Potter, Emma Watson, 19, as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint, 20, who plays Ron Weasley - were on breaks.
The cast and crew have spent several days on location
The scene takes place after the trio of friends flee the wedding of Ron's older brother Bill Weasley to Fleur Delacourt after finding out that Rufus Scrimgeour is dead and the Ministry of Magic is now under Voldemort's control.
They manage to fight off an attack from the two villains, but continue to flee to Harry's London hideout 12 Grimmauld Place.


Watch out for that bus: The trio realise a bus is heading straight for them


Near miss: They manage to jump back on to the kerb just in time

The three heroes narrowly miss getting run over by a double decker bus as they dash across the busy road.

With the boys dressed in suits and Hermione in a stunning red dress, the pair arrive at a Muggle cafe, where they believe they are safe until they spot two Death Eaters.
The scene in the book originally takes place in Tottenham Court Road, but producers may have relocated it to Piccadilly Circus to give it a more scenic backdrop.
In between takes, the three young actors were spotted yawning and sipping on coffee in a bid to stay awake during the late night shoot.




The Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling's last book in her best-selling series, will be split into two parts for the big-screen adaptation.

The cast and crew started filming the first part in February.
Part I is due for release in 2010, with Part II out in 2011. The prequel, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, will be released in the UK on 15 July.
It was originally scheduled for release last November, but was delayed so Warner Bros studio had a guaranteed 'major summer blockbuster' after the Hollywood writers' strike delayed a lot of movies.

Voldemort will never die

Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching.



Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.



Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn’t counted on Romilda Vane’s chocolates! And then there’s Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.