Heartbreaking reason why Harry Potter cast and crew wore white ribbons to film premiere

Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, the sixth film in the Harry Potter franchise, had its premiere at London’s Leicester Square Odeon.

But as Daniel Radcliffe, co-stars Emma Watson and Bonnie Wright, and other members of the film crew descended on the UK capital to celebrate the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, fans were quick to note many of them were sporting white ribbons around their wrists.

There also seemed to be a subdued air at the July 2009 premiere, which saw author J. K. Rowling and other famous faces like director Guy Ritchie and Loose Women’s Myleene Klass in attendance.

Unbeknown to many fans at the time, the Harry Potter cast had lost one of their own ahead of the flick heading to the cinemas.

Rob Knox, who portrayed Marcus Belby in the motion picture, finished up filming for his role as a member of Horace Slughorn’s (played by Jim Broadbent) Slug Club just days before heading for a night out in London.

The promising young movie star had also signed a contract to appear in the subsequent two films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I and Part II, and likely had every intention of joining his castmates on the red carpet.

Tragically, before he had a chance to reprise the role, a bar brawl in Sidcup fatally escalated after another group of drinkers began antagonising his 17-year-old younger brother.

In response, Rob, who was 18 at the time, stepped in to intervene, only to be stabbed to death by 22-year-old Karl Bishop.

As a result, Bishop was found guilty of the young actor's murder and handed a life term with a minimum 20-year sentence before parole would ever be considered.

The Harry Potter cast worse white ribbons in honour of Rob Knox's life (Jon Furniss/WireImage)

"I do not think it is proved that you intended to kill Robert Knox," Mr Justice Bean said at the time.

"The truth is that you simply could not care less whether you killed him or not. Your lack of regret let alone remorse was truly chilling."

Hundreds of tributes to Rob poured in from family, friends and fans of the magic movie franchise.

One of whom was Ginny Weasley actor Bonnie. She told the press on the night of the premiere that the Harry Potter family had planned to honour Rob's life with the sweet ribbon gesture.

The cast said Rob's death came as a 'terrible shock' (Jon Furniss/WireImage)

"We wanted to wear a white ribbon wristband as a mark of respect," she said. "It is also a tribute to anybody who has been the victim of a senseless, stupid, tragic crime like this. There have been too many."

Daniel, who portrayed the titular character in all eight of the Harry Potter movies, added: "Rob's death was absolutely tragic. I can't pretend to be his best friend but I knew him and I liked him and it was a terrible shock."

He continued: "He was one of those guys who was liked by everyone who came into contact with him and his death casts a huge shadow."