Tom Felton makes children cry.

The 'Harry Potter' star - who is famous for playing villainous wizard Draco Malfoy in the films - said that children often find it hard to tell the difference between his character and reality.

He said: "There are lots of wary seven-year-olds who won't say hello to me. Sometimes trying to be nice freaks them out even more. There have been a couple who burst in to tears when they met me."

Tom added that while he has come to expect this reaction it did take him "a while to get used to it."

However, crying children obviously don't bother the 23-year-old too much, as he has signed up to play another baddie - this time in big budget movie 'Rise of the Planet Of The Apes'.

Felton plays a bully named Dodge in the film, directed by Rupert Wyatt, and said: "The character's even more villainous than Draco - so I had to step it up a bit."

Felton is the first of the 'Harry Potter' children to secure another big film role, and said he would do anything to stay in the industry.

The actor admitted to the Metro newspaper: "I'll take my clothes off - whatever the job requires, whether it's acting, directing or writing. I want to be involved in the film industry for the rest of my life."