Daniel Radcliffe

The 37-year-old actor – who starred as the titular character in the Harry Potter films – acknowledged that Rowling's importance in "the course (his) life has taken" but has condemned her views.

In an essay defending the LGBTQ+ community for The Trevor Project, he said: "Transgender women are woman.

"Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I."

Radcliffe continued: "To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you."