Star Wars: The fanbase awakens as box office records start to tumble

● Princess Leia actress tries to avoid slipping up on spoilers as Los Angeles prepares for world premiere

carrying props that resemble offensive weapons.

Actress Carrie Fisher has described returning to the role of Princess Leia with her original colleagues as being like a school reunion. As Hollywood last night prepared to host one of the most anticipated film US premieres in its history, she said she has had to “censor” herself so as not to reveal any details.

She said: “I understand – there is just this insane interest. People grew up with these characters, so it’s their childhoods.”

On working with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill again, as well as newer faces, she said: “The new actors are great.

“We’re like the old guard who come back and we have a reunion and they’re the freshmen.”

Describing fan attention, Fisher said: “Most people are really nice, even if you’re tattooed on their arm.”

The premiere was expected to take place at Los Angeles’ TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre – home of the Oscars – and the El Capitan Theatre. The London premiere is on Wednesday. A new Scottish welfare system must move away from the negative stereotyping of benefit claimants as “skivers”, MSPS have said.

Holyrood’s Welfare Reform Committee has warned that the implementation of a distinctive Scottish system will require a “huge culture shift” .

The committee has been investigating the future delivery of social security in light of new powers over welfare being devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

In a report setting out their conclusions, MSPS called for an overhaul of the current approach to ensure that “the same dignity and respect that is normally offered to NHS patients is offered to benefit claimants”.

They said: “Witnesses suggested that elements of the current system appear to operate under an umbrella philosophy which regards those on social security universally as ‘skivers’.

“The Welfare Reform Committee rejects this narrative and believes that it is neither realistic nor helpful.

“We believe that a new Scottish social security system requires a huge culture shift.” Committee convener Hugh Henry said: “For three years, our committee has heard evidence of the devastating impact of welfare reform, from the ever-growing reliance on food banks to working parents having to choose between heating their homes and feeding their children.”