Hart Shrugs Off ’silly’ Audience Outburst Claims

HARRY POTTER actor IAN HART has dismissed reports he behaved aggressively towards a theatregoer who was disrupting his performance in a West End play, insisting the saga is “a lot of silliness”.

Hart, best known for playing villainous Professor Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was alleged to have jumped from the stage and threatened Gerard Earley, who was in the audience of his show Speaking in Tongues on Monday (23Nov09).

Earley claimed he was giving the cast a standing ovation when Hart took offence and lunged at him.

He told reporters he was considering police action against Hart, who had to be restrained by an usher.

But the actor has shrugged off the allegations, stating, “I’m absolutely not interested, it’s just a lot of silliness.”