Tom Felton
(Draco Malfoy)

IT’S Harry Potter week in The Sun. The third movie, The Prisoner Of Azkaban, is out on Monday and we are bringing you exclusive interviews with the film’s young stars.

Today Tom Felton explains how playing Hogwarts villain Draco Malfoy has changed his life.

By GRANT ROLLINGS

THEY say all the girls love a bad boy – but try telling that to Harry Potter star Tom Felton.

The 16-year-old believes playing evil Draco has wrecked his chances of finding a girlfriend.

Tom told The Sun: “Apparently girls like bad boys — but it’s quite the opposite with myself. Draco isn’t the girls’ cup of tea in my experience.”

English fans have tended to steer clear of Tom and he gets less fan mail than his fellow stars.

But luckily, Draco is big in Japan.

He said: “Japanese girls are huge fans. It’s nice to get a positive response. I got a watch yesterday and I’ve been sent a spoon for good luck. I get lots of good luck charms.”

His mum Sharon reads most of the mail before Tom so any nasty letters are filtered out but the release of The Prisoner Of Azkaban will surely mean thousands more letters.

It’s not all bad news for Tom, though. He hopes his acting CV will get him a role alongside the woman of his dreams – Tomb Raider star Angelina Jolie.

He smiled and said: “I would like to do any film with Angelina. She’s a particular favourite. I hope they make a third Tomb Raider.”

Tom is one of the few young Potter actors who had major film experience before signing up to be a wizard.

He starred alongside Jodie Foster in Anna And The King and in The Borrowers with John Goodman.

He started acting when he was eight after an actress friend of the family recognised his talent.

Tom has signed up to appear in the fourth Potter film, The Goblet Of Fire, but after that he hopes to take a break from appearing on film reels to concentrate on reeling in fish.

Tom, who lives near Guildford, Surrey, wants to do a fishing studies course.

He said: “Carp fishing is my passion — I haven’t based my life around acting.” Tom fell in love with angling after being introduced to it by his 22-year-old brother, Chris.

And while he was earning a small fortune for appearing in the Potter films, he worked for £1 an hour at weekends selling tickets at a fishery.

He said: “I don’t have time for the job any more but I still go down to see all my old work partners. I fish at weekends when I get the time.”

Tom’s other passion is fast cars. He will be 17 in September and can’t wait to pass his driving test and buy a BMW.

He said: “I have been learning off-road with my brother. The BMW is what I want — until a Lamborghini is in my price range.

“The BMW will be my ‘well done, Tom, for all your hard work’ pressie. Chris has one, he got me into them.”

Blasting from the car stereo will be rappers such as Eminem. Tom said: “I like hip-hop and American rap. I listen to 2Pac, Eminem, Dr Dre. You name it I listen to it.”

Tom is good friends with co-stars Daniel Radcliffe, 14, who plays Harry, Emma Watson, 14 (Hermione) and Rupert Grinch, 15, (Ron).

He particularly shares an interest in the art of movie-making with Daniel.

Tom said: “We have had many an intellectual conversation about films. We click very well.”

Tom’s mum Sharon acts as his agent — and she is his biggest fan. He admitted: “I am embarrassed to say my mother wanted to go to the local cinema to see the last film so I escorted her.

“She went to the premiere as well. But she likes to see my films a good six or seven times. She loves them.”

Tom has changed a lot from the fresh-faced 13-year-old who appeared in the first Potter film.

Even so, when he’s not filming he shaves his hair — which is dyed for the movies — so he is not recognised.

Tom said: “In the first film I look about eight. I must have been 12 or 13 and a good foot shorter. I change my hair when I stop filming. I don’t want to be recognised all the time.

“I try to keep the movie stuff away from my home life. It’s funny but the further I am from home, the more recognition I get.

“In my hometown I am not treated as anything special. Sometimes people come up to me and call me Draco.

“When you get a woman of 40 screaming out ‘Draco’ at you, I’m never sure how to handle it.”

Despite his growing fame, little has changed in Tom’s life. He still dresses casully in tracksuits, T-shirts and trainers.

He attends the same school he did before winning the role of Draco and he has the same set of pals.

He said: “My teachers have been very supportive because I have been away quite a bit.”

All the Harry Potter child actors receive lessons on set. Tom is more nervous about his forthcoming GCSEs than appearing in the Harry Potter blockbusters.

He said: “The exams are more nerve-racking than acting. I don’t like exams.

“But being in Harry Potter is quite comfortable. At first I was nervous because it was such a professional atmosphere. Now it’s not even like a job.

“I am looking to do best in maths and geography. My worst subjects are business studies and chemistry.

“You would have thought something would have brushed off from potions classes at Hogwarts but unfortunately not.

“The reality is Draco sucks at it. He doesn’t know what he is doing.”

Tom does not mind dishing out the Simon Cowell-style insults when it comes to Draco.

He said: “Draco has some serious issues. But I find it is nice to be the snotty kid.

“As long as he has the comments to hit people on their sore spots as opposed to just being arrogant, then I am happy.”

Tom did not read J K Rowling’s novels before auditioning but now he is engrossed in his character.

He revealed: “I have had input into Draco. If they give me a line and I don’t think it is something he would say, I suggest changing it.

“They do listen to you and you feel a part of it.”

In The Prisoner Of Azkaban Draco gets his comeuppance for his nasty remarks.

Fans of Hermione will be glad to hear she gives Draco a good thump.

Tom recalled: “On the set I asked Emma if she was ready to slap me. Then the director Alfonso Cuaron said it had turned into a punch.

“Emma did a few practice swings and fortunately she was very professional and didn’t knock me out.”