Harry Potter more important than Who?

JK Rowling has said that she is too busy writing the sixth Harry Potter book to pen an episode of Dr Who.

16:50 04 May 2004

JK Rowling has said that she is too busy writing the sixth Harry Potter book to pen an episode of Dr Who.

The BBC originally wanted the world's richest novelist to write an instalment of the new Time Lord drama.

However, The Daily Record has reported that writing the boy wizard's sixth outing, along with the more mundane duties of looking after her two children, means she doesn't have the time.

The producer of the new series of Dr Who, Russell Davies, said it was a shame to miss out on Ms Rowling.

Speaking to Dr Who magazine he commented: "I asked JK Rowling if she would like to write an episode for the new series. But she told me she was amused by the suggestion but simply doesn't have the time."

A spokeswoman for Rowling added: "She is very busy at the moment writing her book and it would be impossible for her to take on any other projects."

Dr Who will return to TV screens in the UK early next year.

The sixth and penultimate Harry Potter novel has been pencilled in for a release next year.