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11 Feb 2026 0:27
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  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Brian Cox has defended JK Rowling from accusations that she made anti-trans comments

    The 'Succession' actor has thrown his support behind the 'Harry Potter' author, who sparked controversy on Twitter earlier this year by implying that only women menstruate in response to an article


    Brian admitted that he asked his son what had happened as he'd been away when Rowling made her comments.

    The 74-year-old actor explained: "I kept saying, 'So what happened?'. He said, 'Well, she believes women menstruate.

    "That's what they do, don't they?' He said, 'Well, people don't like that,' and you go, 'Oh for Christ's sake!"

    Rowling's Tweets were considered to be transphobic and were criticised by 'Harry Potter' stars and fan sites and Brian admits that he hates cancel culture.

    He told Reader's Digest magazine: "Call something what it is, as opposed to something you think it should be. And it is - it's the cancel culture. I keep well away from it."

    Rowling sparked the backlash in June by taking aim at a headline, which read: "Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate."

    The author wrote: "'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

    She was recently defended by 'Harry Potter' actor Robbie Coltrane who revealed that he didn't think her comments were "offensive".

    The 70-year-old star - who played Rubeus Hagrid in the film series - said: "I don't think what she said was offensive really.

    "I don't know why but there's a whole Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended. They wouldn't have won the war, would they?

    "That's me talking like a grumpy old man, but you just think, 'Oh, get over yourself. Wise up, stand up straight and carry on.'"

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

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     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
    A person has died following a two-vehicle crash in Wairoa - while two others remain in a critical condition 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Dove Cameron wants her wedding dress to be "inclusive" and reference her queerness 21:51

    Entertainment:
    Katie Price and Peter Andre agree to move "into a new chapter with positivity and respect" 21:21

    International:
    Global Athlete accuses IOC of 'kowtowing' to Russia by including AIN athletes 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Milo Ventimiglia wanted to be a "wonderparent" when his first child was born but the plan was derailed when his home burned down 20:51

    Entertainment:
    Bad Bunny has been suffering sleepless nights ahead of his performance at the Super Bowl halftime show 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Justin and Hailey Bieber are happy and focused "on their own lives" 19:51

    Accident and Emergency:
    One person has died after a crash between a vehicle and a cyclist in Upper Hutt's Trentham 19:27

    Entertainment:
    The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward in the search for Savannah Guthrie's missing mother Nancy 19:21

    Cricket:
    The Black Caps insist they're well aware of the spirited start by the minor cricket nations at the T20 World Cup 18:57


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