11.50am - Was Harry Potter's Snape based on a county science teacher?
ONE of JK Rowling's former teachers says he suspects the author may have based one of her Harry Potter characters on him.
John Nettleship taught at Wyedean Comprehensive between 1976 and 1983 when JK Rowling was a pupil there.
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He told The Guardian's Weekend magazine this week that he believes Hogwarts teacher Severus Snape may have been partly based on him.
Rowling has said that no characters in her Harry Potter series were based more than 10 per cent on any one person.
Mr Nettleship said: "I suppose the fact that I have long black hair is just a coincidence.
"To be honest, I think Snape, especially in the later books, is very like me.
"Joanne would have been about 12 when I taught her. Her days at Wyedean were pretty miserable.
"The school was like a prison and then her mum came down with MS.
"Anne Rowling worked as my technician, and Joanne would come and wait at the science block for her mum so they could walk home together.
"It was obvious the child was very concerned about her mother - preoccupied.
"She was a very quiet child. I don't remember her ever answering a question - she would go to great lengths to avoid responding.
"I think she was tucking it all away in her head to use later in her stories."
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by Lucy, VA
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 9:27PM
“Rowling said last Autumn while in New Orleans that Snape teaches potions because of being based on her chemistry teacher. Nettleship taught her chemistry, right?”
by Candy, Australia
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 1:02PM
“After watching "The Worst Witch" TV Series (the books were published before Harry Potter), I am wondering if 'Miss Hardbroom', the strict, dark haired, Potions Teacher was used at all as an inspiration for Snape.
I was watching that show all weekend and just pointing my finger at the screen saying to myself, "they sound/act like .... "”
by Willow, Gloucester
Monday, September 15 2008, 9:20PM
“There is also a distinct resemblance to one of my old teachers.....purely coincidental, of course! Any Old-Kryptonites familiar with Mr Bastin? Are you with me????”
by Dan, Coleford
Monday, September 15 2008, 7:54PM
“It's also old news - I remember reading this in the same magazine about 10 years ago. Having been taught by Mr Nettleship, I can see some resemblance though!”
by Alyssa, Fargo, ND
Monday, September 15 2008, 7:53PM
“Well Snape is my favorite wizard so if you were based on him, I guess thanks for being you. He is a mysterious character with a I dont give a damn attitude. But I love him.”