Fans of Harry Potter author JK Rowling may have noticed a famous face missing from the walls of a Wetherspoon pub in Exeter – but the chain says it will be replaced

JD Wetherspoon removes JK Rowling picture from pub wall - but vows to replace it - Mirror Online

Wetherspoon has taken down a portrait of JK Rowling from one of its pubs in Exeter. The picture had been displayed for many years, alongside other celebrities and historical figures linked to the city.

The framed photo was a tribute to the Harry Potter author’s time at the University of Exeter, where she studied French and classics during the 1980s. It was once speculated that locations in the city such as The Old Fire House pub and Gandy Street had inspired scenes from the popular book series, but these were later debunked as mere urban myths.

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Despite this, she remains one of the most famous individuals to have lived and studied in Exeter. However, it appears that the writer’s connection to the city is not universally celebrated, Devon Live reports.

Regulars may have recently noticed a gap where Rowling’s portrait used to hang at The Chevalier Inn on Fore Street. JD Wetherspoon, which owns the city centre pub, has confirmed that the photo was removed due to defacement but has pledged to replace it.

A picture of J.K. Rowling has been removed from Exeter Wetherspoon pub The Chevalier Inn
A picture of J.K. Rowling has been removed from Exeter Wetherspoon pub The Chevalier Inn ( 
Image:
DevonLive)

Wetherspoon’s spokesperson Eddie Gershon said: “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.”

It remains unclear why JK Rowling’s photo was defaced, especially when images of other celebrated personalities like Charles Dickens, Tommy Cooper and Sir Francis Drake remain unscathed on the pub walls.

Rowling has faced a backlash for her views on transgender issues. She asserts that she is not transphobic but articulated concerns in 2020 about the impact of trans activism on freedom of speech and women’s safety, expressing worry over efforts to substitute ‘sex’ with ‘gender’ legally.