Celebrities including Alexandra Burke and her Strictly Come Dancing dance partner Gorka Marquex, GBBO winner Candice Brown, David Tennant, Rebecca Ferguson, David Furnish, Stephanie Pratt, Lucy Watson, Love Island’s Jonny Mitchell, Strictly Come Dancing stars Oti Mabuse and Amy Dowden, Carrie Grant and X-Factor’s Grace Davies and Rae-Elle Williams enjoyed an evening at the launch of Hogwarts in the Snow, which included a glimpse of the Yule Ball for the first time ever at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
To celebrate the festive season, fans and celebrities were able to experience Christmas time at Hogwarts and discover how filmmakers created fire, ice and snow that never melts.
With the Great Hall stage decorated as it was for the iconic Yule Ball, the celebrity guests were among the first to see the incredible set dress from the celebration of the Triwizard Tournament as seen in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.
Celebrities started off the evening with mulled wine and mince pies as they experienced the makeover first hand – the top section and stage of the Great Hall has been transformed with snow-covered Christmas trees, icicles and an orchestra of magical instruments. The orchestra itself is made up of musical instruments painted by the Prop-Making department to match the silver of the Yule Ball decoration.
David Tennant looked sexily festive in his Christmas themed jumper while Stephanie Pratt had her best friend by her side, Max.
Whilst celebrities enjoyed their drinks, guests were able to view one of the beautiful Yule Ball sculptures which sits in the centre of the Great Hall. The sculpture, which was inspired by the Brighton Pavilion, was cast from resin and surrounded by mounds of imitation ice.
X-Factor contestants Rae-Elle Williams and Grace Davies were super happy to be reunited, hugging in front of the Yule Ball stage dressing in the Great Hall.
Harrison Jones of The Apprentice enjoyed the tour with friends. Could this be a clue to his final position within the show? 
In addition, Alexandra Burke, Candice Brown, Stephanie Pratt and David Tennant enjoyed experiencing the Great Hall lined with Christmas trees and the long dining tables that are dressed as they were for seasonal feasts at Hogwarts with prop versions of roast turkeys, hams studded with cherries and even Christmas puddings surrounded by real flames. James Dunmore, Lucy Watson’s boyfriend took this opportunity to ask if anyone gets married in the Great Hall. The guide informed him that there are no weddings to date but people do become engaged in the Hall, to which James told Lucy not to get any ideas.
Alexandra Burke and her Strictly Come Dancing partner embraced the magic of the Great Hall and practiced their dance routines.
David Furnish, Rebecca Ferguson, Lucy Watson and guests were then able to visit some of the other iconic sets in the tour which have also received a makeover. The Gryffindor Common Room and Boys’ Dormitory were decorated with the original props, featuring handmade Christmas cards (some of which were created by the cast members during production) as well as enjoying the fireplaces ‘lit’ with special effects fire throughout the Studio Tour, including those in the Leaky Cauldron and the Great Hall.
Hogwarts in the Snow will run from Saturday 18th November – Sunday 28th January 2018. Tickets must be pre-booked and all extra features are included in the ticket price. For more details, please visit www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
