Interviewer Blocked From Asking Tom Felton About JK Rowling

An interview with former Harry Potter star Tom Felton was disrupted when a journalist was prevented from asking the actor a question about JK Rowling.

The interview was taking place to mark the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and Philosopher's Stone, which author JK Rowling was notably absent from.

Rowling, who wrote all of the Harry Potter books and was involved in the production of subsequent movies, has embroiled in culture war debates around women's rights - and specifically transgender rights.

Often referred to as a 'TERF' online (trans exclusionary radical feminist) the British author has faced accusations of transphobia after assuring that women and girls should have the right to single-sex spaces in some circumstances.

In light of such statements, Rowling has been frozen out from all Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone anniversary events, which was first published back in June 1997.

Her absence was most recently brought up during a Sky news interview with Tom Felton of 'Draco Malfoy' fame.

However, it was soon shut down by a third party off camera – someone not from Felton or Warners' teams – who urged the journalist to move onto the 'next question.'

Sky's Claire Gregory asked the 34-year-old whether it was 'strange' that JK was 'not around things like this [the anniversary event]", with the writer instead taking a "backseat role'.

While Felton didn't react or begin to answer the question, those around him were certainly in no mood to field such questions about the controversial author.

Other stars from the Harry Potter franchise have spoken about Rowling's legacy during recent public appearances.

Daniel Radcliffe has previously underlined his solidarity with the trans community, by saying 'trans women are women', in the wake of some of Rowling's statements.

In addition, the 32-year-old told his supporters: "if Harry Potter resonated... that is sacred," in a plea to separate the art from the artist.

Emma Watson also appeared to take aim at Rowling in her BAFTAs shout out for inclusivity earlier this year.

During her introduction to the stage to present an award, comedian and host Rebel Wilson joked: “Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch.”

As Watson arrived at the podium, she smiled and replied: “I’m here for all the witches.”

Fans on social media were quick to interpret the remark as a jab towards Rowling, which further underlines the strained relationship between the cast and the author of the iconic book series.

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