He may have been keen to distance himself from J.K. Rowling over her views on trans people but actor Rupert Grint is still raking in the spoils from the Harry Potter universe.
I can reveal that Rupert, who played Ron Weasley in the films, is facing the wrath of Potter fans for the sky-high prices being charged for those wanting to get close to him at an event later this month.
During the two-day Enter The Wizard World convention in Paris, Rupert, 35 – thought to be worth £40 million – will be on hand to meet diehard fans, pose for photos and chat about working on the franchise – if you have deep enough pockets.
Tickets for the event start at £101, while a selfie with the actor is an extra £111. Rupert is also offering a small group – limited to 30 people – the chance to spend half an hour chatting with him, but that privilege will cost a staggering £298 per person.
While some fans may be excited at the prospect of meeting their childhood idol, others have criticised the ludicrous prices.
Taking to the event’s official social media page, one disappointed fan wrote sarcastically: ‘Your prices are exorbitant. I have been a Potterhead since book one. This will be the first convention that I won’t be able to go to because I can’t afford to leave a kidney.’
Rupert, who played Ron Weasley in the films, is facing the wrath of Potter fans for the sky-high prices being charged for those wanting to get close to him at an event later this month
The chance to get up close and personal with Rupert (right) at the Enter The Wizard World convention in Paris will set fans back £300
Rupert and co-stars Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe have previously spoken out against J.K. Rowling.
In 2020, Rupert said: ‘I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers.
‘Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love.’ He later likened Rowling to an aunt he doesn’t necessarily agree with.
Mum knows best
The next time daytime TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, lets a guest off the hook with her line of questioning, you should fear the worst – because her mother will be on the warpath!
Lorraine says mum Anne scolded her after an interview with Dame Joan Collins and often moans at her for wearing the wrong dress on her programme.
‘She should really do the show,’ Lorraine, 64, tells me, admitting that her editor jokes about having Anne on.
Daytime TV presenter Lorraine Kelly says mum Anne scolded her after an interview with Dame Joan Collins
Princess Diana was an accomplished pianist so it’s good to see that musical talent is still running through the Spencer blood.
Ned, 20 – son of Diana’s brother Charles – is a DJ and has performed at swish London club B London.
Dad Earl Spencer says: ‘So proud of my son.’
Actress Millie Bobby Brown, 20, has been dating Jake Bongiovi, 21, since 2021
Millie’s love for Bon Jovi junior is off the scales!
In her new film, Damsel, Millie Bobby Brown plays a girl forced to fight for her life when her in-laws try to sacrifice her to a dragon.
Luckily, in real life, the Stranger Things actress gets on rather better with her fiance’s parents – rocker Jon Bon Jovi and karate instructor Dorothea Hurley.
They both turned up for the New York premiere of Netflix’s medieval fantasy movie on Friday night in support of the 20-year-old actress, who has been dating Jake Bongiovi, 21, since 2021.
Millie, acknowledged her fictional co-star by wearing a metallic-effect dress that replicated a dragon’s scales.
Meanwhile, actor and model Jake opted for a black suit and burnt-orange sunglasses.
The pair, below, announced their engagement last spring.
Jake popped the question underwater when they were diving, but last week Millie told US chat show host Jimmy Fallon the ring was nearly lost when it fell off her finger.
Luckily, Jake saved it in what she called a ‘cinematic-like grab’.
I hope fans booking tickets to see Cara Delevingne’s forthcoming West End debut in hit musical Cabaret have read the small print – because there’s a decent chance they won’t get a glimpse of the 31-year-old supermodel on stage at all.
Despite all the furore around the casting of Delevingne as club singer Sally Bowles in the Playhouse Theatre production, she won’t be appearing in 22 of the 96 performances during her three-month run, beginning on March 11.
The theatre says Cara’s absences are due to ‘pre-contractual commitments’.
Cara Delevingne won’t be appearing in 22 of the 96 performances during her Cabaret run
Dominic’s rasher career choice
Good to know The Crown star Dominic West has a Plan B in case the acting roles dry up – he fancies himself as a pig farmer.
Dominic, who played Prince Charles in the fifth and sixth series of the Netflix drama, recently invested in 12 piglets, but I can’t help wondering whether this career diversion is wise.
The self-confessed ‘sensitive soul’ has already told how bad reviews leave him languishing in bed.
And now he doubts whether he’ll be able to eat the pigs after they’ve been fattened up.
‘We slaughtered our first sow, and now can’t eat her. Poor Marla,’ he says.
Dominic West, who played Prince Charles in Netflix’s The Crown, fancies himself as a pig farmer
Why Miami’s up Ramsay’s street…
Let’s hope America isn’t harbouring any grudges towards Gordon Ramsay after his belligerent behaviour towards its restaurateurs in TV series Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA.
For I hear the celebrity chef, 57, wants to make Miami a permanent base for his family.
The father of six, who already has a house in Los Angeles, has a good pal in Florida’s ‘Magic City’ – David Beckham not only has a £19 million pad there, he owns the local football club, Inter Miami.
Gordon Ramsay, 57, wants to make Miami a permanent base and be close to pal David Beckham
It is the end of an era for Only Fools And Horses fans as the Grade I-listed home belonging to the late Boycie actor John Challis has been sold.
I can reveal Wigmore Abbey in Herefordshire – which was used for filming in Only Fools spin-off The Green Green Grass – has been bought for £1.5 million by Australian radio presenter Steve Vizard.
The jury is still out as to what the neighbours will think of Steve but they will be sad to wave goodbye to John’s widow Carol who has moved to Somerset. John died from cancer in 2021, aged 79.
Swimwear keeps being ripped off!
Hunza G is the swimwear brand worn by the likes of model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, but it seems fame comes at a cost as founder Georgiana Huddart reveals she is in a constant battle with people trying to rip-off her designs.
In a recent interview, Georgiana kept schtum on upcoming projects, saying: ‘We get copied so much that I can never discuss our plans.’
The brand shot to fame in 1990 when Julia Roberts wore one of her outfits in Pretty Woman.
Hunza G founder Georgiana Huddart reveals several people have tried to rip-off her designs
No wonder there were plenty of smiles on the Brits’ red carpet last night – record label Warner Music sent a £179 teeth whitening kit to guests.
Also included in the goodie bag was membership to private club The Ned.
Making a meal of childbirth
As a devoted husband, Masked Singer host Joel Dommett was at his wife’s side for her 36-hour labour at a private hospital.
Less gallantly, he was feasting on duck in red wine during her painful contractions to welcome son Wilde.
But the comic did not let Hannah go hungry – revealing on Dave TV show Unforgiveable that he got her a ham sarnie from a vending machine. Yum!
Masked Singer host Joel Dommett was at his wife’s side for her labour at a private hospital
