Rowling denies ex-husband inspired character

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has dismissed speculation she used her ex-husband as inspiration for one of her literary villains.

The 42-year-old writer has been accused of basing her character Gilderoy Lockhart, an overly vain wizard, on her former husband Jorge Arantes, who she married in 1992.

She says:"None of the characters in my books are based on my ex.

"Whatever happened in our marriage, the truth is my ex-husband contributed 50% to on one of the most beautiful things in my life, my eldest daughter.

"I'd never use him in a fairytale. He's her father."

Rowling and Arantes married in 1992 and lived as man and wife for less than two years, during which she gave birth to her first daughter Jessica.