Potter stars brave the rain for premiere

Updated 10.46 Wed Jul 04 2007

Keywords: Hermione Granger, Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter, JK Rowling, Rupert Grint

JK Rowling made a rare public appearance to join the stars of the latest Harry Potter film at the European premiere in London's Leicester Square.

Thousands of fans greeted Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Hermione Granger, along with other cast members of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

"It's nice to have people chanting your name, that doesn't happen often. That's cool" - Daniel Radcliffe

Despite the rain the stars enjoyed the attention and spent time signing autographs. Radcliffe particularly enjoyed the sound of people shouting his name, saying: "It's nice to have people chanting your name, that doesn't happen often. That's cool."

The film sees Harry Potter return to Hogwarts with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger for their fifth year at the magical school.

Harry's integrity is called into question when some of the wizard community believe the story of the teenager's recent encounter with Lord Voldemort is a lie. But, despite having a tough time he does get his first kiss.

Katie Leung is the actress who gets the snog and said: "He was a great kisser. He was such a gentleman and made me feel really comfortable about the whole scene."

The film hits the big screens on July 12.

The seventh and last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is released on July 21 with around 1.6 million people worldwide believed to have pre-ordered the book.