"Harry Potter" star Rupert Grint carries Olympic flame

(CBS/AP) LONDON - Rupert Grint brought a touch of Hogwarts' magic to the Olympic torch relay on Wednesday, carrying the flame for a leg in northwest London to cheers from hundreds of well-wishers.

Grint, who played faithful friend Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" films, started his leg of the relay at Middlesex University. He was mobbed as he finished his run.

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The 23-year-old actor said that he had not known what to expect, as running was "kind of a new thing" for him, but he was helped by the fact that most of his section was downhill.

Others who have carried the torch include actor Patrick Stewart, musician will.i.am, tennis stars Andy Murray and Venus Williams, comedian Eddie Izzard, actor James McAvoy and singers John Legend and Melanie Chisholm.

The relay ends Friday when the last torchbearer lights the cauldron at the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium to mark the official start of the London games.