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‘Not for the time being’: Daniel Radcliffe reveals he has no immediate plans to see the new Harry Potter play

Former boy wizard doesn't think it would be a relaxing experience to be in the audience

HARRY Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has shocked fans by admitting he has no immediate plans to see the new stage show about his famous alter ego.

The 26-year-old played the boy wizard for a decade after making his debut in 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone at the age of 11, but a new play - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - is set to open on London's West End next month, focusing on Harry's life 19 years after the last book.

Daniel Radcliffe isn't keen on watching the new Harry Potter play surrounded by hardcore fans
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Daniel Radcliffe isn't keen on watching the new Harry Potter play surrounded by hardcore fansCredit: CBS

The play - based on an original story by author J.K. Rowling and playwrights Jack Thorne and John Tiffany - is currently in previews and while fans are queuing up to try and get tickets, Daniel is in no rush to join them.

Daniel and host Stephen Colbert chatted about the new West End play
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Daniel and host Stephen Colbert chatted about the new West End playCredit: CBS
Daniel looked dapper as he arrived for his television interview
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Daniel looked dapper as he arrived for his television interviewCredit: Splash News

He told American chat show host Stephen Colbert: "I feel like I want to see the show, I'm genuinely intrigued by it and I've heard it's fantastic.

"I just feel like, sitting in an audience of what will be - for the most part, for the near future will be very enthusiastic Harry Potter fans - might not be, like, a relaxing way to see the show.  So not for the time being."

However Daniel clearly still feels a close connection to his alter ego, and still seems to think of himself as Harry.

When asked by Stephen if he would feel the need to stand up and shout out if he felt the character wasn't being portrayed correctly, Daniel shook his head and said: "No not at all, Jamie Parker is a wonderful actor and I'm very, very happy to see him play me.

"Maybe a lot of the questions can shift to him now.

Daniel played Harry Potter for 10 years in the hit film franchise
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Daniel played Harry Potter for 10 years in the hit film franchiseCredit: Scope Features
The British actor is happy to pass the role over to Jamie Parker
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The British actor is happy to pass the role over to Jamie ParkerCredit: Landmark Media

"He can do all the Harry press."

In the West End play, Jamie will portray Harry as a father of three who is overworked as an employee of the Ministry of Magic, but many fans have been left disappointed after the initial preview tickets sold out and touts grossly marked up their value.

Cast and Creative team behind Harry Potter and The Cursed Child play
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Tickets for the first month show sold out in just an hour when they went on sale in OctoberCredit: PREMIER PR / HANDOUT

In an exclusive by The Sun, it was revealed that there were rows of empty seats at the initial shows after the touts failed to sell their marked-up tickets. 

Opening Night Of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child In London
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Hundreds of dedicated fans queued hoping for returns while seats went unused insideCredit: Fame Flynet
Daniel hopes to see the play in the future once the initial rush for tickets has died down
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Daniel hopes to see the play in the future once the initial rush for tickets has died downCredit: Getty Images

Tickets for the two-part show priced at up to £2,000 on resale sites went unsold, while one row in the Palace Theatre’s highest tier was only half filled, as seats which should have cost £15 went unsold at £300 on Gumtree.

Daniel still feels a strong bond to his famous alter ego
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Daniel still feels a strong bond to his famous alter egoCredit: Getty Images

The first three months of the show sold out in less than an hour last October.

It is currently taking ­bookings until May 2017, but the show’s website warns that most admissions are for single seats only.

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