London Mayor: Harry Potter Theme Park Should Have Been Built In England

The stars of the Harry Potter franchise have criticized London mayor Boris Johnson after the politician complained a new wizarding theme park should have been built in Britain, not America.

Johnson recently blasted bosses at film giant Warner Bros., calling them "utterly mad" for allowing a Harry Potter park to be created in Florida, when the books and movies are all set in the U.K.

The franchise's stars, including Michael Gambon and Tom Felton, disagree with Johnson and have now waded into the debate, insisting a similar attraction would not work in London.

Speaking at the launch of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday night, Gambon tells Britain's GMTV, "Oh he's a silly old fart isn't he, really? Boris Johnson... What's he talking about? I mean only 10 people live in England don't they? You've got to have it in America to get the money back."

Felton has also laughed off Johnson's comments, insisting the weather isn't good enough in England to host the outside park: "I've got a few words for Boris... well mate, if you want the park to be open for 30 days a year then put it in England, but come on, realistically this is the place to do it."

Daniel Radcliffe has also spoken out about the issue, insisting that if Johnson wants to build a Harry Potter theme park in the U.K., then he should use his political influence to push the decision through: "Of course it would be absolutely wonderful to have an equivalent in London and I'm sure Boris, as the mayor of London, is surely the man with the power to make that happen, one would assume."

While Rupert Grint adds, "We should have one, it's just amazing."

Harry Pothead and The Sorcerer’s Weed

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has shocked fans after he was allegedly photographed holding what appears to be a cannabis joint. Photos have surfaced apparently depicting the 20-year-old actor with a rolled-up cigarette between his fingers, grinning as a pal draws a comedy mustache on his face at a house party. It is unclear when the images were snapped. Radcliffe, who plays the boy wizard in the hit franchise, was said to have been letting loose at the bash, thrown at an apartment building in Camden, North London, by a friend of his ex-girlfriend Laura O'Toole.

According to a fellow partygoer, the star was laughing hysterically and walking around the flat in a daze after taking deep drags of the cigarette.

Wadia Tazi tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "Daniel was laughing and seemed to find it funny. But he didn't really look like he knew what was going on. I was surprised by his behavior."



Daniel supposedly walked around the house party blurting: "I Love Weed." He pulled out the huge joint then lit it up in the kitchen with Wadia and a friend in his company.

Wadia said: "Daniel looked spaced out and away with the fairies. He didn't want us to recognize him. When I said he looked like that actor in Lord of the Rings [Elijah Wood], he got a bit funny and said, No, thats not me. He looked pretty uncomfortable.

I didn't recognize him as he looked so different to what I expected from the films. When my friend told me who he was, I was shocked."

The gathering ground to a halt after Laura and another man, believed to be Radcliffe's assistant, asked Tazi if he was shooting footage of the actor on his phone.

Tazi adds, "Laura was very protective. She said Daniel had a reputation to protect and couldn't ruin it. I presume she meant by being seen smoking. I said I didn't know what she was talking about. He (Daniel) didn't want us to recognise him, he looked pretty uncomfortable... But almost immediately afterwards she and Daniel left."



Recently singer Joss Stone said: "I smoke weed, but I don't think it's really a drug. It's more of a herb. I don't regret saying that at all. I think everyone smokes weed and people who say they don't are lying! Weed has been given this evil stamp, but how is it dangerous? It's going to make you laugh your a**e off? You might go to sleep? I think alcohol is much more harmful."

UPDATE: Daniel's spokeswoman has issued a statement: "We categorically deny the allegations regarding Daniel Radcliffe published in today's Daily Mirror."

"Daniel does smoke the occasional roll-up cigarette, but he was not doing anything more than this. We are considering our position and will be taking all necessary action in relation to such allegations."