Celebrities added some extra sparkle to the launch of Hogwarts in the Snow last night.
Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Louis Smith, Lucy Mecklenburgh, Tom Fletcher, Kimberley Wyatt, Jake Wood and Nadiya Hussain were among the guests at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
It has once again been given a Christmas makeover with the iconic Hogwarts model dusted in snow, the great hall decked out for Christmas dinner and iconic locations dressed as they were for festive scenes, with authentic decorations, props and special effects additions.
Experts were also on hand to demonstrate how they make snow that never melts, how set dressers transform locations for Christmas scenes, and how flames are created without fire.
For the first time this year, the Goblet of Fire will emerge from its original jewelled casket, rigged by special effects experts, and will be ‘lit’ with flames that change from blue to red. Featured in the fourth film, the impressive goblet was used as a way to select champions for the Triwizard Tournament. During production, the picture-perfect hero version was sculpted from a single piece of wood by the Prop Making Department, while a special effects replica was moulded in fibreglass and painted to look identical to its wooden counterpart.
Staff also revealed that filming for Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has begun in another part of Leavesden Studios.
Amanda Lamb and her daughter enjoy the fake snow
Gossip on the night included:
• Magician Dynamo accidentally breaking a wand while posing in the Gryffindor common room.
• EastEnders star Jake Wood took a break from preparations for his role of Hook in the Alban Arena panto to be there.
• Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain was mesmerised by the special flaming Christmas pudding in the Great Hall and wondered how the secret of the flames worked.
• Self-confessed Harry Potter super fan Louis Smith sported his very own Harry Potter inspired gloves whilst cosying up by the fire with his girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh. They enjoyed the sets of the Studio Tour for a second time, after attending the launch of the Hogwarts Express.
• Harrow-born McFly band member Tom Fletcher enjoyed looking around the festive sets with his mum, and mentioned he should have worn his Harry Potter style specs!
• Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster brought their two young sons, who were delighted to have the chance to wear the Harry Potter capes and scarves whilst exploring the Studio Tour.
• Presenter Amanda Lamb was in her element enjoying the snow by Privet Drive and confessed she was loving the Studio Tour even more than her children who were squealing with excitement as the snowflakes fell.
• Singer Dionne Bromfield brought one her friends who was an extra in the last scene of the final Harry Potter film.
• After visiting earlier in the year, Kimberly Wyatt loved the Studio Tour so much that she brought along her husband to see the iconic sets dressed for Christmas.
Hogwarts in the Snow runs until January 31. Details: wbstudiotour.co.uk
Kimberly Wyatt and her husband
Louis Smith and Lucy Mecklenburgh
Nadiya Hussain explores the festive-themed Weasley kitchen
Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster gets a sneak peek of the snow-capped Hogwarts castle model
Tom Fletcher steps into the Gryffindor common room dressed with streamers, Christmas crackers and oranges at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
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