Harry Potter fans have been urged to stay away from King’s Cross Station on September 1, which fans have dubbed the unofficial “Back to Hogwarts Day.”

Fans of the series typically gather at the fictional Platform 9 ¾ to watch the countdown to the departure of the Hogwarts Express, with staff changing the departure boards in a nod to the popular franchise.

However, there are no changes planned to the normal operations of the central London station this year, with fans simply being asked to put down their wands, capes and memorabilia and stay away.

A spokesperson for Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) said: “There will be no event, no departure board and no countdown on the network this year.

“Instead, everyone is invited to tune in and join proud Hufflepuff and King of the Jungle, Sam Thompson, for a celebration as we celebrate ‘Back to Hogwarts’ at 11am BST on the official Harry Potter YouTube channel.”

Back to Hogwarts Day marks the day when, in the books, wizards and witches board the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

But this year, the official YouTube channel is instead marking the occasion with an online event hosted by TV star Sam Thompson, who has previously appeared on Made in Chelsea and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

In recent years, station staff have announced the fictional train via a loudspeaker announcement on the departure board, followed by a playing of the Harry Potter theme song.

However, the celebrations had to be “adapted” after thousands of cloaked Harry Potter fans came to the station in previous years.

Several in-person events will still take place, including a “Back to Hogwarts” pop-up at Grand Central Station in New York and a Quidditch event in Lyon, France.

To mark the occasion, many cinemas will also be showing the eight Harry Potter films until September 1st.