Shining bright or burned out? What the child stars we loved did afterwards

He arrived at Hogwarts aged just 11.

But the Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) who strode confidently down the redcarpet at the Empire Awards in London on Sunday night was well and truly grown up.

Gone was the short hair and impish smile, replaced with a shaggy mop top and fashionable skinny tie.

The stars of the Harry Potter franchise are noted for their clean-living and lack of headline-grabbing exploits.

But what of all those other child stars we used to love? Here CLAIRE COHEN uncovers the highs and lows and asks; Where are they now?

Rupert Grint: At the age of 11 he was Harry Potter's best friend. Now: Trying to make his name as a serious actor. At 21 he recently starred in a 'gritty thriller'

Lindsay Lohan: Freckled star of The Parent Trap. Now: Best known for stumbling out of nightclubs and being fired from films


Gary Coleman: Eearned $100,000 an episode in Diff'rent strokes. Now: Aged 42, bit-part actor, arrested for assault

Jamie Bell: Ballet prodigy Billy Elliott, aged 14. Now: At 24, he's playing Tintin in the upcoming film


Mischa Barton: Got her break in Notting Hill. Now: Aged 24, she's struggled for work after TV series The OC

Christina Ricci: Star of the spooky Addams Family. Now: Aged 30, acclaimed actress with many tattoos


Nicholas Hoult: Co-star of Hugh Grant in About a Boy. Now: After TV show Skins he has forged a film career. He also models

Ricky Shroder: Nine-year-old star of The Champ. Now: writer, director, actor and born-again Christian


Kirsten Dunst: At ten she starred in Interview With A Vampire. Now: Played Spiderman's love interest

Drew Barrymore: Her role in E.T. made her famous at seven. Now: A rom-com star, following childhood drug abuse and two failed marriages


Elijah Wood: Made his name in Ang Lee's Ice Storm at eight. Now: Veteran of the Lord Of The Rings films - with an Elvish tattoo to prove it

Henry Thomas: Played E.T.'s chirpy friend Elliott in 1982 Spielberg film. Now: More than 40 small film roles. Twice married, he lives in Los Angeles


Daniel Radcliffe: Bespectacled 11-year-old boy wizard. Now: Appeared naked in Equus. Made £41million last year

Anna Paquin: Oscar-winner at 11, for The Piano. Now: Aged 27 and star of raunchy piano series True Blood


source: dailymail