MY GIRL J.K.

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jun 22, 2003 | by MIKE HAMILTON

"I would like to see more of her and the family, but Joanne is public property. For that reason I do not want her to come and see us here. People always seem to know her movements when she is travelling."

When Joanne married Neil - they met through friends - in December 2001 - the ceremony was held in secret at her Scottish mansion. The 14 guests included her father and stepmother. "When she told me she was getting married again I wept," said Peter. "I was so happy because Joanne had got a lot of love to give and has had a rough time of it. It was great news, and a fantastic event.

"Joanne paid pounds 10,000 for myself and Janet to travel up in a Cessna executive jet and we had Mercedes limos pick us up from the airport. I was bursting with pride.

"Janet and I did not go to her first wedding because it was sprung on us and we didn't have valid passports to travel to Portugal.

"But we wouldn't have missed the Scotland wedding for the world."

AS J.K.'s 255,000-word book was released at a minute past midnight last night Peter was drinking a toast to the daughter he saw grow from a talented child to a global publishing sensation.

He said: "Pride is too small a word for what I feel about what she has achieved.

"What she has done is amazing, and it is all down to her. They say brains jump a generation and that is what has happened with Joanne - I can't even spell.

"She has given the world a great gift with Harry and touched a chord with the world's children - and a lot of its adults too.

"I have read all the Harry books and I think they are great. Writing is in Joanne's blood, and if she had not have come up with Harry, she would have written something else.

"However, Harry has rocketed her to global fame, and I have read she is more famous than Shakespeare - which is mind-boggling."

He adds: "Harry Potter has given a lot of pleasure and Joanne has given the world a great gift. The fame and fortune do not sit easily on her shoulders and she is a private person. She will be glad when the seventh and final book is finished - and so will I.

"When I see the worldwide rush for the books and Joanne featured on TV and in newspapers it is still a bit odd after all these years.

"To me, she is not J.K. Rowling the author, but Joanne the daughter I am really proud of."