Stars back John Boyega after Black Lives Matter protest

Stars including JK Rowling and Jordan Peele have praised John Boyega for his emotional speech at a Black Lives Matter protest in London on Wednesday.

"Black lives have always mattered," said the Star Wars actor. "We have always been important. We have always succeeded regardless."

He paid tribute to African-American George Floyd, who died in police custody on 25 May - but said his comments could damage his career.

Instead, Hollywood offered its support.

"We got you, John," said Peele, the Oscar-winning director of Get Out.

Happy to work with you any time, John," said Harry Potter author JK Rowling, whose third Fantastic Beasts film is currently in pre-production. She tweeted applause emojis in response to his speech.

Boyega, who was born in London to parents of Nigerian descent, observed: "I don't know if I'm going to have a career after this."

Film maker Matthew A Cherry, who won an Oscar this year for animated short film Hair Love - about an African-American father styling his daughter's hair for the first time, added his support.

BBCnews