“Joanne’s work always showed impressive imagination and in class she was always bright and enthusiastic, much in the way of Hermione in the Harry Potter books,” he said.

“But when it came to her stories they were always about elves or pixies or fairies. I was constantly telling her that she was at an age where she should be writing about grittier, real-life things.

“Thank goodness she never heeded my advice and kept presenting me with her fantastic stories about made-up creatures. Looking back I am a bit embarrassed about it but I had no idea what she’d go on to achieve.”

“I’m extremely glad she didn’t heed my advice. Teacher, it seems, doesn’t know best.”

“Back then, I’d never have thought she’d be this best- selling author. I tell my students that there is hope for all of them because of this.”

“I feel proud if I was in some way responsible for having influenced her to write the Potter stories.

“I’ve read all her books and was enraptured, though I notice she still makes mistakes with her punctuation. But structurally her work has improved beyond recognition.”