JK Rowling thanks fans for 20 years of Potter

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has thanked fans saying “it’s been wonderful” on yesterday’s anniversary which marked 20 years since the first book was published.

Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone was first published on 26 June 1997 and has since sold more than 450 million copies worldwide in 79 languages.

Rowling wrote on Twitter: “20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others. It’s been wonderful. Thank you.”

Another Harry Potter alumni, the actress Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the films, joined Rowling in marking the anniversary.

Lynch, who became a pen pal with Rowling before landing her role in the films, told how “empowering” she had found the books as she battled an eating disorder.