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What will Hermione say, Harry?
Last updated at 12:37pm on 31.01.07Divested of his clothes, not to mention the lightning scar on his forehead, this is Harry Potter a million miles from Hogwarts.
Between filming the fifth and sixth Potter movies, 17-year-old Daniel Radcliffe is appearing on the West End stage in a revival of Peter Shaffer's controversial play Equus.
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He plays troubled stablehand Alan Strang and is involved in a lengthy nude sex scene with former Holby City actress Joanna Christie.
Radcliffe was clearly keen to impress with his physique, pumping up his slender frame in the gym for seven hours a week.
But whether his young fans will be impressed by his transition from Hermione Granger's boy wizard friend to hunky sex symbol remains to be seen.
Websites were receiving e-mails from parents worried about Radcliffe's appearance in the play, which will be open to children despite its explicit adult content.
One said: 'We as parents feel Daniel should not appear nude. Our nine-year-old son looks up to him as a role model. We are very disappointed and will avoid the future movies he makes.'
Another wrote: 'I am curious as to how and why his parents said this was okay.'
The play opens at the Gielgud Theatre on February 27 and has already attracted advance bookings worth £1million.
Radcliffe has been rehearsing his nude scene for a week with his female co-star and although he was 'a little hesitant and shy' at first, he had overcome his embarrassment, said producer David Pugh.
He added: 'Equus is on the school syllabus and I would never stipulate what age people should be to see it.'
Radcliffe's spokesman Vanessa Davies said: 'Daniel does not want to step away from Harry Potter but he does want to show he is an rounded actor capable of very different and diverse roles.
'He has tremendous support from Harry Potter fans.'
Equus opened in the West End in 1973 to huge controversy. It was followed in 1977 by a movie version in which Peter Firth played Alan and Jenny Agutter played his girlfriend Jill, both appearing full frontally nude.
Miss Agutter also features in the 2007 version - as a judge with her clothes on.
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Reader views (21)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
Hermione has nothing to do with this. He never hooks up with her.
- S, Liverpool, England
I think it is wonderful that he is and all rounded person. He has only two more movies to make of Harry Potter, and he needs to expand out on his career. He is very smart looking for work in other places. I am very proud of him. Daniel keep up the good work and I will be there to see you finish off the rest of Harry Potter films.
- Sonja Frazier, Atlanta, Georgia United States
I think people should just see the play and look at Daniel's maturity. He's growing up for God sakes. We can't expect him to be the boy wizard forever. There are like only 7 HP books to date.
- Geli, Philippines
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