Potter author saddened after killing main character

London — Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling cried after she wrote the scene in which one of the series’ main characters dies, she said in a television interview.

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” the fifth installment in Rowling’s popular children’s series about a boy wizard, comes out Saturday.

Its plot is a closely guarded secret, but Rowling has said one of the central characters dies in the book. She hasn’t even told her husband, Neil Murray, which one it is, she said in a British Broadcasting Corp. interview airing today. The BBC released excerpts in advance.

After writing the death scene, Rowling recalled, “I walked into the kitchen crying and Neil said to me, ‘What on earth is wrong?’ And I said, ‘I’ve just killed the person.”‘

She said there’s a crucial Potter secret yet to be revealed, but gave no hints for eager readers.

Sixth ‘Sopranos’ season planned

New York — Tony Soprano — or at least the HBO series that bears his name — will be sticking around awhile longer.

HBO announced that it has agreed with producers of the award-winning mob drama, starring James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, for a sixth season. The cast currently is wrapping up production on the fifth season, which will begin in March 2004.

The sixth season will consist of 10 episodes, shorter than the 13-episode seasons “The Sopranos” usually offers, HBO spokeswoman Tobe Becker said Wednesday.

‘Are You Hot?’ judge soon single

Los Angeles — Actress and model Rachel Hunter has filed for divorce from singer Rod Stewart because of irreconcilable differences.

Hunter, 33, and the veteran British rocker were married in 1990 but split four years ago. They have an 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son.

A message left Tuesday with Hunter’s attorney wasn’t returned.

Court documents filed Monday in Superior Court show that both Hunter and Stewart will have joint custody of the children. Division of the couple’s assets has not been determined.

Hunter recently was seen as a judge on the ABC reality competition “Are You Hot?”

More irreconcilable differences

Los Angeles — The wife of late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has filed for divorce after more than 13 years of marriage.

Gina Kimmel cited irreconcilable differences in court documents filed Monday in Superior Court. The couple will share joint custody of their two children, an 11-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son.

The pair separated in April.

Kimmel, 35, is the host of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and was co-host of “The Man Show” on Comedy Central. He has been named to host the American Music Awards Nov. 16.