What an angel in wizard's clothing. What a sweet unassuming English public-school boy. What a hulking great hunk with no clothes on. . .

What! Hang on a minute? Yes that's right, Daniel Radcliffe, who likes to cook and has submitted a book of recipes for his fans, is starring in a West End play next month- in the buff. Buff he is, in more ways than one. Not only is he appearing naked, he has bulked up for the part. No longer skinny, effete and swamped in his robes. The publicity photos for the upcoming adaptation of Equus, Peter Shaffer's award-winning play about a young man who pokes out horses' eyes, feature Radcliffe's torso thrust back, nipples out and a horse's head imposed onto his stomach.

Won't people be put off with the image of wholesome Harry caught up in this strange naked adulthood for which, at 17, he can barely be ready?

Perhaps, but then again does one of the UK's richest teenagers care?

In the past he has told interviewers that he's not much good with girls. Perhaps his new rippling sixpack features a departure from the world of girls and a ready acceptance into the world of women.

Many pre-teen girls already harboured a huge crush for Radcliffe in his role as the wizard hero (although the pony club might go off him a bit after they see the play).

To those of us with young children, especially boys, Radcliffe's new macho image is as scary as all those baby-faced policemen that seem to roam the streets these days. Can it be that in a few short years my wee baby could bound effortlessly from sweet nerdy gawky childhood to giant brooding stud man? Eeeuw.

Is it so distasteful for a muggle boy in his late teens to grow manly or is it that we suspect his newfound shape is more to do with self-conscious working out and bulking up than natural development? Has Harry been at the protein powder? A shake for breakfast, lunch and a proper dinner and avada kedavra, alohamora - a manly body!

He is an actor. Female actors are always losing or gaining weight for parts. What's more, female actors at the age of 17 are considered perfect for love scenes. Do we want our young men being put under the same pressure to physically assimilate as our young women?

And if he has bulked up the right way, by eating well and working out, then what's wrong with a boy looking fit? All the boyband boys do it and no one complains about them.

It's because he's Harry Potter.

Harry has come out of his tower and into the real world (or at least an odd one where people abuse horses). Surely we can allow him his own life and leave the little boy in the goggle glasses forever young in celluloid history?

At least this time if the critics call him "wooden" it may not be so crushing to his ego.