The Harry Potter author has finally responded


JK Rowling (Image: Getty Images for Warner Bros.)JK Rowling has poked fun at Wetherspoon after a portrait of her was removed from one of the chain’s Exeter pubs. The company claimed the picture of the now-controversial author was taken down after being vandalised. At the time a staff member claimed it was linked to her well publicised views on gender.

The portrait had been hung on a wall inside The Chevalier Inn on Fore Street among various other pictures of famous people with a connection to Exeter. The Harry Potter author is one of the University of Exeter’s most well-known alumni, having studied French and classics there in the 1980s.

In September 2024, pub customers noticed that the picture of JK Rowling had been removed. While it had been speculated that Wetherspoon had taken it down due to the writer’s controversial comments about transgender people, the pub company said that the image had been vandalised and would be replaced.

Wetherspoon spokesperson Eddie Gershon said at the time: “The picture was removed as it was unfortunately vandalised. Wetherspoon will replace it with the same or similar picture of JK Rowling as soon as possible.”

JK Rowling pokes fun at Wetherspoon over vanishing portrait - Devon Live

On January 4, a screenshot of DevonLive’s article about the removal of the picture was shared to comedic X account No Context Brits, with the caption: “She must be absolutely devastated.”

The post was noticed by the author herself, who issued her own light-hearted response to the situation. Re-sharing the post, she wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce I will be taking down my picture of JD Wetherspoon.”

JK Rowling has become a divisive figure in recent years following her comments about transgender issues. While she denies being transphobic, she has been outspoken about her “concerns” over trans-activism and in 2020, said she feared it was having an impact on freedom of speech and women’s safety.

Harry Potter stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint responded to the controversy by openly supporting the transgender community and distancing themselves from the author.