Just trying the launcher fix and now its downloading a 1GB update - but will see if it then lets me get past the character screen (forgot to mention it downloaded the patch fine earlier on and i could play)
EDIT - just realised its not a 1Gb patch its redownloading the whole game!
UPDATE - well once the game redownloaded I could get in - even changed the launcher settings file back to the original one and I could still log on....