J K Rowling has shocked her fans worldwide with the revelation that she has killed off another important character in the upcoming Harry Potter book.

The author stunned readers similarly in her previous book, The Order Of The Phoenix. She has been letting on nuggets of information slowly and tantalisingly to fans about the new installment, and last had them in hysterical speculation by dropping the name of the book's title, Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince, sixth in the series.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Rowling was asked if any more characters would be killed, and she replied with a 'Yes, sorry.'

The 39 year old did obviously not reveal whom it might be, the suspense working wonderfully for a tremendous rush in book sales for the previous volume, but, for those imbecilic fans that forget there will be at least the guaranteed seven Harry Potter books, dropped the sardonic, wry assurance that it is not Harry.