HARRY Potter fans will be crying into their butter beers as an annual Kings Cross tradition has been permanently axed, The Sun can reveal.
The “back to Hogwarts” gathering took place every September 1 at the London train station, attracting thousands of Potterheads – many in full costume.
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They’d wait with baited breath for the tongue-in-cheek announcement that the fictional Hogwarts Express would depart from platform 9 ¾ at 11am, as happens in JK Rowling’s books.
A sign would also appear on the departure boards signalling the train going to “Hogsmeade” the town near where Hogwarts is located.
In 2018, Hollywood stars Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law even attended to promote Potter spin-off movie Fantastic Beasts 2.
However, last year fans booed when the fun public address failed to take place – and now we can reveal it will not return next month.
National Rail said the event had attracted far too many crowds and had posed issues for genuine travellers getting their trains.
A spokesperson said the last full gathering in 2023 saw thousands of people turn up “which made it challenging for us as station operator”.
They have now confirmed to The Sun: “It is the same for this year, in that we won’t be hosting the event at the station.”
Instead, organisers Wizarding World and Warner Bros Discovery are putting on an online alternative this September 1.
Writing on Facebook, fans were hopeful last year was just a blip. They said at the time: “It’s so sad that this was cancelled… nice to have traditions as most things have been ruined these days.”
Another added: “It brings people together.”
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And another: “It’s awful they took a small piece of fun away, life’s too short.”
A third said: “It was so nice that the station used to actually announce this, such fun. But I can see why they decided to end this – way too many people and too much of a disruption for a real train station.”
The Potterverse is currently experiencing a boost in popularity with the upcoming Amazon-produced series, which began filming last month.
The book series, written by Rowling, began with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, released in 1997, to huge commercial success.
The first film, starring Daniel Radcliffe in the title role, came out in 2001.
There are a total of seven books and eight films, ending in 2011.
The franchise has since continued to grow exponentially, including the WB studio tour at Leavesden Studios, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sections within Universal theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan and Beijing.
More than 23 million passengers started or ended their journey at Kings Cross in 2022, according to Railway Data.
A Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson said: “Similar to last year, we can confirm that there will be no Back to Hogwarts event, announcement, or countdown at Kings Cross Station, and fans should not plan to go there on 1st September.
“We have plenty of fun in store for fans celebrating Back to Hogwarts however, both online and in person.
“Plans include a special free screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with a live Q&A with James and Oliver Phelps, special giveaways, competitions and more.”
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