Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe to pen novel

As J K Rowling puts the finishing touches to her debut book for adults, The Casual Vacancy, she could soon have a familiar rival. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, in the film adaptations of Rowlings books, is planning to write his own novels.

I really want to write professionally in the future, the 22-year-old actor tells Mandrake. I try and write at the moment. I dont know if Im any good, as, normally, when I write Im so self critical that its not long before I have to throw away what I write.

The star of The Woman in Black has yet to inform Rowling. Perhaps, I should get in touch with her for some help, he says.

We are doing Hyde Park, for what I call the peoples event for those who cant get an Olympic ticket, but I dont think Blur will ever make a comeback, says the bands bassist, Alex James, who is now a farmer and cheese maker.

Speaking at a dinner at Aubaine, in Mayfair, James adds: The first things I now think about when I wake up are cheese and cows.