Emma Watson responds to Radcliffe rumours

Emma Watson has claimed that Harry Potter fans are "desperate" for her to start dating Daniel Radcliffe.

The actress, who plays Hermione Granger in the Potter films, suggested that their desire for such a romance was responsible for much of the press speculation which surrounds her friendship with Radcliffe, best known for his role as boy wizard Harry in the movies.

"Dan Radcliffe is very charming, and very, very sweet and knows how to handle it," Watson explained. "We've been handling this situation for six years now.

"Everyone has been going, 'Are you and Dan together?' Because it doesn't happen in the books, everyone is so desperate for it to happen in real life that any opportunity to come up with a story about it is taken."

Watson has just gained access to her £10.5 million fortune after reaching her 18th birthday.