The pictures have been released ahead of the opening of Equus, a controversial Peter Shaffer play showing at London's Gielgud Theatre from next month.

Radcliffe,17, plays a troubled stablehand who one night blinds six horses with a hoofpick.

He features in numerous nude scenes with co-star Joanne Christie, the woman in the publicity shots.

The UK's Daily Mail reports that Harry Potter fan sites have received a lot of emails from parents.

"We as parents feel Daniel should not appear nude. Our nine-year-old son looks up to him as a role model. We are very disappointed and will avoid the future movies he makes," one parent wrote.

Another said: "I am curious as to how and why his parents said this was okay."

Some of his younger fans, however, are impressed with Radcliffe's tough new look.