Potter hopefuls lose out on role

Thousands who attended an open audition for a role in the new Harry Potter film have been left disappointed after the part went to an established actress.

Producers held a casting in July for girls aged 15 to 18 to play Lavender Brown in The Half Blood Prince.

But the part went to Jessie Cave, 20, star of new CBBC drama Summerhill and movie Inkheart with Dame Helen Mirren.

The casting stated no acting experience was necessary and attracted 7,000 hopefuls. Cave's agent did not comment.

Lavender Brown is Ron Weasley's girlfriend in the Harry Potter series, and a fellow pupil at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Producers described the character as "a pretty and lively girl who loves to be the centre of attention".

She features in the sixth movie based on the book series, due to be released in November 2008.

'Absolutely credible'

Announcing the auditions in July, director David Yates said: "These auditions are open to everybody and we can't wait to see who comes in the door.

"Normally I have all these casting agents sending me kids who have been to stage school and who come in tap-dancing and singing.

"What we are looking for is someone natural and absolutely credible in their own right."

Tap-dancing is listed among the skills on Cave's CV, published by her agent A&J Management.

Director David Yates was not available for comment.

Open auditions were also held for the character of Tom Riddle, who goes on to become the evil Voldemort. The winner of that role has yet to be announced.

The last Harry Potter film, The Order of the Phoenix, did feature an unknown actress found through a casting call.

Evanna Lunch, 14, from Co Louth, Ireland, beat 15,000 hopefuls to the role of eccentric Hogwarts pupil Luna Lovegood.

Amy's husband in 'trial fixing plot'

Amy broke down in tears as her husband Blake Fielder-Civil was dramatically arrested in front of her over an alleged £200,000 trial-fixing plot.

“I want to go with him,” she begged hysterically as eight plain-clothed policemen handcuffed him in an east London flat, reported the Mirror.

As he was led away, the distraught singer kissed and hugged him repeatedly, sobbing: “Baby, I love you. Baby, I'll be fine.”

The 24-year-old ran out of the flat in Bow to catch a final glimpse of Fielder-Civil who managed to yell out “I love you” before he was taken away in an unmarked people carrier.

Police are investigating allegations following a tip-off by the newspaper that a key witness was offered £200,000 to stay away from the case and refuse to give evidence.

Fielder-Civil was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in connection the trial involving assault charges which was due to start next week. There is no suggestion that Amy was involved in the alleged plot although three other men were arrested at addresses in east London.

If Fielder-Civil is convicted the maximum sentence for the offence is life.

Last night, up to 13 officers stormed the house, bursting through the door using a battering ram and crow bar.

Witnesses said three policemen and ten plain-clothed officers searched the property, just an hour after Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder- Civil left in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes.

A police spokesman said four men had been arrested in east London earlier and were being questioned.

The four men, two 25-year-olds, a 22-year-old and a 19-year-old, were all arrested in west London and were being held in an east London police station.

The spokesman confirmed the arrests related to next week's trial involving Mr Fielder-Civil, 25, and a second man, 39, who both face charges of grievous bodily harm.

Fielder-Civil, 25, is at risk of being jailed when he appears before Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on Monday on assault charges.

He was allegedly involved in a bust-up at Hoxton's uber-cool Macbeth pub in London and subsequently charged with grievous bodily harm.

Barman James King required medical treatment following the incident, which was said to involve Fielder-Civil and another man.

Fielder-Civil has pleaded not guilty and has been out on bail since.

The search of the couple's home comes just weeks after they were arrested and held in Norway for the possession of marijuana.

Bergen police held the pair for 12 hours after finding 7g (a quarter of an ounce) on them. On that occasion they escaped with a fine.

Winehouse's latest controversy comes after she has spoken publicly about her drug abuse shame.

Speaking on her European tour the singer confessed she thought she was going to die last August after she was raced to a London hospital following a reported binge on ecstasy and cocaine.

'I really thought I was on my way out,' she admitted. She added: 'Often I don't know what I do, then the next day the memory returns.

And then I am engulfed in shame.

Metro