Harry Potter fans have been urged to stay away from King’s Cross station on September 1, which fans dub the unofficial “Back to Hogwarts Day”.
Fans of the series typically congregate at the fictional Platform 9 ¾ to count down the departure of the Hogwarts Express, with staff altering departure boards in a nod to the popular franchise.
But this year, no changes to the normal operation of the central London station are planned, with fans instead asked to put down their wands, cloaks and memorabilia and stay away.
A Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) spokesperson said: “There will be no event, departure board, or countdown at the station this year.
“Instead, everyone is invited to tune in and join proud Hufflepuff and King of the Jungle, Sam Thompson in a celebration of Back to Hogwarts on the official Harry Potter YouTube channel at 11:00am BST.”
Back to Hogwarts day marks the day that in the books wizards and witches board the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
But this year, the official YouTube channel will instead mark the occasion with an online event hosted by TV star Sam Thompson, who has previously appeared on Made in Chelsea and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
In past years, station staff have made a tannoy announcement for the fictional train and displayed it on the departure board, followed by a rendition of the Harry Potter theme tune.
However, celebrations have been forced to “adapt” after previous years saw thousands of cloaked Harry Potter fans descend upon the station.
Various in-person events will still go ahead, including a Back to Hogwarts pop-up at Grand Central station in New York, and a Quidditch event in Lyon, France.
To mark the occasion, many cinemas are also showing the eight Harry Potter films until September 1.
