Dastardly Dursleys dropped

Harry Potter's odious family, the Dursleys, have been ditched from the fourth Harry Potter film.

17:44 07 April 2004

Harry Potter's odious family, the Dursleys, have been ditched from the fourth Harry Potter film.

Richard Griffiths, who plays Harry's uncle Vernon, told the Daily Express: "Filming had already started on the fourth and Fiona and I asked the producers 'Are we in it?' and they said: 'Oh, did no one tell you?'

"The problem is that the fourth book is just too long for a film, so they've done away with our bit - where Harry is at home with the Dursleys - and will just begin with him at school."

"I said to JK Rowling, 'Couldn't the Dursleys turn up to an Open Day at Harry's school or something?' but she said, 'I don't think so.'"

Griffiths is holding out hope for a fan revolt, reports the Express.