JK's Potter Divorce Pain

JK Rowling has won a prize for outstanding achievement at the South Bank Awards.

Lord Attenborough presented the Harry Potter author with the accolade at London's Dorchester Hotel.

JK told the crowd that saying goodbye to the boy wizard was more painful than getting divorced.

She said: "It has been the worst break-up of my life - far worse than splitting up with any man.”

"But it has also been wonderful to stop and draw breath and think, 'My God, look what's happened with an idea I had 17 years ago on a train'."

But JK insisted she would not write any more of the books. She said: "I think I've definitely finished his story. I said seven books and there have been seven."

The Harry Potter books have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide and have earned the author an estimated £545 million.

Meanwhile, Lord Attenborough rebuked the author for the fact he had never been given a role in one of the Harry Potter films.

He said: "I think I must be the only English actor of my generation who has got absolutely bugger all out of this extraordinary series that has been read by millions and made into movies.”

"Surely there must have been something I could have played? Even just a few lines here and there? Don't think I didn't try!"