Katie's a Real Cho Stopper
By Anita Singh (November 07, 2005)
Source: Daily Record

THE Scots teenager who steals Harry Potter's heart in the boy wizard's new movie stole the show at its premiere last night. Newcomer Katie Leung, who plays Cho Chang in Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, cast a spell on the 7000 fans who stood in the rain to see the stars at London's Leicester Square.

The 18-year-old, from Motherwell, had never acted before when she beat 5000 other hopefuls to the role after going to an open audition "on a whim".

Katie, who wore a Matthew Williamson dress, said: "It's really daunting, I can't believe I'm here."

Referring to her character's romance with Harry, she said: "It's inevitable that a few girls are going to be jealous but everyone in the crowd has been lovely to me tonight."

Katie was joined by Daniel Radcliffe, 16, who plays Harry, and Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, alias Ron and Hermione.

Radcliffe described Katie as "beautiful".

And he was full of praise for the fans. He said: "For people to wait out all day in the rain is just amazing."

Other stars at the premiere included Robbie Coltrane, who plays Hagrid, Michael Gambon, Hogwarts head Dumbledore, and Miranda Richardson, a muck-raking journalist in the film.

The movie is said to be a lot darker in tone than the previous ones and features the first appearance of the evil Lord Voldemort, played by Ralph Fiennes.

Film critic David Edwards gave the film the thumbs up. He said: "It is the best yet - a magnificent, magical and truly mesmerising fantasy epic.

"The best part is its comic portrayal of teenage angst, particularly Harry's bumbling attempt at romancing the bewitching Cho Chang."

But he added: "I wouldn't recommend the film to young children"There's a menacing edge to it and Fiennes' villain is the stuff of kids' nightmares

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