JK Rowling has been flooded with well-wishes from all corners of the world for her 50th birthday. But 31 July also marks another birthday – that of her most famous protagonist, Harry Potter, who would have turned 35.
The birthday of one of the most well-known fictional characters in modern literature is also the perfect excuse to pay homage to Daniel Radcliffe, or more specifically his incredibly refreshing criticism of the sexualisation of his co-star, Emma Watson, who was 11-years-old when she joined the Harry Potter series.
Emma Watson is an ambassador for the United Nation’s HeForShe campaign (Getty)
The 26-year-old explained his frustration at being described as the “unconventional” romantic hero in films after his turn as a wizard during an interview with the Associated Press.
When asked how he felt about being considered a sex symbol, he replied:
“Around the time of What If, the rom-com, a lot of people were saying ‘You’re a really unconventional romantic lead.'
"Eventually I got bored of hearing that, so I kind of picked someone up on that, so I was like, ‘What about me is unconventional? Tell me.’ She said, ‘Well, I think it’s probably the fact that we associated you with playing Harry as a young boy for so long.
“’The male population has had no problem sexualising Emma Watson immediately.’”
His comments came after Watson launched a rallying solidarity cry for men to join the fight for gender equality with her United Nations HeforShe campaign.
