Harry Potter star Emma Watson appeared to make another dig at JK Rowling's controversial views on the transgender community at the Baftas.
As host Rebel Wilson introduced the award-winning actress, she said: “Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch.” Watson then emphasised: “I’m here for all the witches!”
Twitter fans were quick to react to the comment, with @realjoegreeeen writing: “Emma Watson destroying JK.” While @lewisjwr said: “Live for Emma Watson throwing subtle shade at JK Rowling at the #BAFTAs #LGBWithTheT #JKDoesntSpeakForMe."
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And @GeorgeThWo wrote: “was that a jibe by emma watson at jk rowling? what a QUEEEEENN", reports the Independent.
Earlier in the night, Wilson had made another dig at Rowling, who was born in Yate. The comedian – who, over the last year, has been documenting her weight loss journey on Instagram – addressed the fact that she is “looking different” and that she has had a “transformation”, quipping: “I hope JK Rowling still approves.”
JK Rowling has hit the headlines recently over her controversial views on transgender people. This week, the author was criticised on social media for a tweet about International Women’s Day.
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In a thread criticising the Labour Party’s stance on gender and equality, she wrote: “Apparently, under a Labour government, today will become We Who Must Not Be Named Day.”
The famous author also hit out at Nicola Sturgeon for a law proposed in Scotland that would simplify how trans people’s genders are recognised. Rowling said her issues stemmed from being a survivor of abuse which gave her concerns about single sex spaces.
"I'm mentioning these things now not in an attempt to garner sympathy, but out of solidarity with the huge numbers of women who have histories like mine, who've been slurred as bigots for having concerns around single-sex spaces," she wrote.
Months later, the debate resurfaced when it was revealed that the villain in Rowling's book, Troubled blood, was a male serial killer who dons a woman's coat and wig when killing his victims.
Among those weighing in on the debate were some of Harry Potter's biggest stars.
Leading trio Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson all spoke out against Rowling's views as well as star of Fantastic Beats franchise Eddie Redmayne.
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