New Harry spell is wizard

Harry Potter has cast his spell over Leicester Square again - pulling in even more pointy-hatted fans than last year.

The world premiere of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets attracted 4,000 screaming children and scores of celebrity guests, together with their offspring.

Even though the heavens opened just as the child stars arrived, all agreed that movie makers at Warner Bros had pulled off the difficult challenge of keeping the Potter magic alive for a second time.

Patsy Kensit brought her young son Lennon who arrived with more of a toddle than the trademark swagger of his father, Liam Gallagaher. Vinnie Jones was with his son Aaron, 11, who said: "It was a little scarier than the first film. I really enjoyed it."

Julie Walters - who plays Molly Weasley - turned up with her Maisie, 14. John Leslie's replacement on This Morning, Phillip Schofield, was with wife Stephanie and daughters Molly, nine, and Ruby, seven.

Golfer Sam Torrance arrived with his wife Suzanne, son Daniel, 14, and daughters Phoebe, 10, and Anouska, seven. Richard Madeley and wife Judy Finnigan brought their son Jack, 16, and daughter Chloe, 15. Hollywood actress Glenn Close said: "It was great - excellent." Monty Python star Eric Idle said: "Sequels really can cut it - Godfather 2 did, and so has this."

Actor Daniel Radcliffe again cast doubt on whether or not he would continue as Harry Potter after the third film. Daniel, 13, said his voice had broken: "We'll have to see what happened after the next film. It's getting a bit like I don't know where I end and Harry begins. I'm definitely doing the next film but I don't know after that."

Emma Watson, 12, who plays Harry's sidekick, Hermione Granger, has undergone an astonishing transformation and blossomed into a dazzling young celebrity.

Author JK Rowling, who is expecting a baby, arrived with a flowing turquoise top covering her bump and clutching the arm of her husband Neil Murray. She said: "It's mad - I though it would be a lot quieter than the first one, there are actually more people here. The second book was the most difficult to write, but it is one of my favourites. The next book is going really well, it shouldn't be too long."

She said the premiere was dedicated to the memory of Richard Harris, who plays Professor Dumbledore, who died last month.