Rowling hits back at hurtful rumours

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has hit back at "hurtful" gossip by allowing fans to click on to a new section on her website to discover the truth.

The multi-millionairess writer, 39, denies her husband Dr Neil Murray has retired from medicine on her site, which allows browsers to click onto an overflowing paper waste bin to find the "real facts".

Rowling says: "This is one of those stories that makes me angry because they hurt my family.

"So, and hopefully for the last time, Neil has never given up work and continues to practice as a doctor in Edinburgh."

She has also rubbished reports that the conceited character of Gilderoy Lockhart was based on her first husband Jorge Arantes.

She adds: "Lockhart was inspired by a real man. I won't identify him but I can state categorically I never married him."