Fans flock to Harry's second film

Dressed in wizards’ hats and wearing Harry Potter scarves, the Potter-mad crowd screamed and chanted as they waited for the celebrity guests to turn up.

Some had queued for several hours, braving rain earlier in the day in the hope of getting autographs from the film’s cast.

Zoe Algar and Laura Hall, both 16, from Great Yarmouth had already been waiting for four hours, wearing witches hats and clutching a big hairy spider toy, to see their favourite character Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe.

“He’s so much like Harry Potter in the book and he’s quite cute,” Zoe said. “I hope he still will be in the fourth film. I think he should grow up in the film as well.”

There has been speculation that teen star Daniel would quit after the third movie because he has outgrown the role.

Twelve-year-old Jessica Price, from Iver, was clutching a worn Harry Potter book for Emma Watson who plays Hermione Granger – Harry’s forthright but dependable school friend

Jessica said: “I love her, she’s just so bossy.”

Her dad Tony admitted he was a Harry Potter fan as well saying: “I’m the one who introduced her to the books, so I like them as well.”

Sarah Isaacs, from Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, revealed that Ron Weasley - played by Rupert Grint, had a special place in her heart, but insisted she did not have a crush on the young star.

“I’m here for Rupert Grint – I’m a Weasley fan. I haven’t got a crush on him I’m 21, the family is just so cute, there not as precocious as Harry.

The sequel to last year’s blockbuster Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone follows second year student Harry as he tackles a sinister force which is terrorising the wizard academy.

The premiere follows the recent death of Limerick native Richard Harris, who stars in the film as Professor Albus Dumbledore – head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Based on the second J K Rowling’s hit books, the latest movie stars Kenneth Branagh as the vain and flamboyant Gilderoy Lockhart, the school’s new Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts.

There are also repeat roles for Alan Rickman, Dame Maggie Smith and Robbie Coltrane.

The film is being released in Ireland, the UK and the US on November 15.

Scenes from the new film were transmitted to fans outside the Odeon cinema on large screens, with the Harry Potter theme music being pumped around Leicester Square.

An especially constructed stand decorated in Hogwarts’s school colours was set up to seat some of the eager fans.

On top of the stand was perched a life sized model of the battered blue flying car used by Harry and Ron in the film.

School emblems for the four wizard academe houses – Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Ravenclaw – and the Hogwarts school crest stood proudly above the entrance to the cinema.

Admirers of actor Kenneth Branagh waved a banner reading: “Kenneth Branagh will you marry me?”

The crowd roared with excitement as Daniel Radcliffe arrived at the premiere.

Dressed in a black suit, black shirt with a purple and black tie and a poppy on his lapel, the star who plays hero Harry, grinned broadly and posed for the cameras.

He said: “Its amazing so many people have actually come.”

He added: “It’s completely overwhelming but it’s still great.”

Questioned on his physical stature since the last film he said comparing himself to the character of Harry: “I think because we have grown up at the same time I think it makes it easier as we have developed at the same rate. I am definitely doing the third film and after that I don’t know.”

Emma Watson – who plays Harry’s friend Hermione, wore a delicate pink chiffon dress with a sparkly necklace and she clutched a glittery bag.

She told awaiting reporters: “I can’t believe how many people there are. I can’t wait to start filming the new film. I start in February or March.” She added that it was very daunting arriving at the screening.

“It was so nerve racking,” she said.

Co star Rupert Grint who plays Harry’s best friend Ron Weasley, said some people might find the film’s spiders frightening.

“If they’ve got a phobia like me, then its going to be quite scary, but it’s cool scary.” The young actor was dressed in a dark purple suit and was hugged by actor Kenneth Branagh after entering the cinema foyer.

He described filming the latest movie as “really fun”. Among the other guests was Hollywood actress Glenn Close, former footballing hardman Vinnie Jones and actor Richard E Grant.

As the guests began to filter in past the crowds they were greeted by heavy downpours of rain.

Author of the books, JK Rowling, arrived with her husband Dr Neil Murray – the pair are expecting their first child together.

She was dressed in a bright turquoise top with flared cuffs and black trousers which concealed her small bump and said she was astounded at the crowds today.

“It’s insane. I thought it would be quieter tonight but I think it’s actually more mad.”

Speaking of the recent death of Richard Harris who played Professor Dumbledore in the movie, she said: “I knew Richard was ill, but it was a shock. I think tonight’s performance is going to be dedicated to him. He’s going to be difficult to replace.”

Of her pregnancy she said she was feeling great.

Robbie Coltrane who plays friendly giant Hagrid said he thought Kenneth Branagh was the highlight of the film as the self-obsessed teacher Gilderoy Lockheart.

He joked: “Kenneth Branagh is so untalented, he knows nothing about Shakespeare, nothing about directing. He stole the whole show.”

The granddaughter of Richard Harris, Ella, said she was attending the premier in memory of the late actor.

“It’s been really really hard for us but everyone’s been great. No one will ever be able to replace him.”

Director Chris Columbus said it was too early yet to discuss who would take over Harris’s role as the wise and gentle professor. He added that the response from the crowd had been “absolutely terrific”.

Actress Julie Walters said: “It’s great that the film is so popular. It is wonderful to be part of something that everyone likes.”

Walters stars in the film as Mrs Weasley, head of the magical Weasley family.

Other members of the cast who turned up to the screening included Alan Rickman, who plays untrustworthy Professor of Potions Severus Snape, and Bonnie Wright, who stars as the youngest of the Weasley family - Ginny.

Patsy Kensit brought along her sons, James and Lennon, and said: “I’m very excited about seeing the movie.”

The late John Thaw’s widow, Sheila Hancock, joined other celebrities, including former EastEnders actor Martin Kemp and his family, TV presenters Richard and Judy, and Crimewatch host Nick Ross.

A tribute to Richard Harris by director Chris Columbus was broadcast to people outside on the large cinema screens.

Mr Columbus described Harris as “unpredictable” saying “he brought back unpredictability to Dumbledore”.

He added: “I don’t know anyone who was more honest about how fake he thought Hollywood was than Richard.”

Mr Columbus added: “He would want us to have fun and I think we will tonight.”