Sir Ian McKellen is still in agonising pain after fall from stage

Sir Ian McKellen pictured in London in April. Photo / Getty Images

The beloved actor and Lord of the Rings star reveals he is struggling after his shock accident earlier this year.

Sir Ian McKellen is still in “agonising pain” after falling from the stage during a West End play.

The 85-year-old actor was performing in Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London in June when he lost his footing and had to quit his planned part in the UK tour to deal with his injuries but admitted it could have been a lot worse had he not been wearing a fat suit.

He told Saga magazine: “My chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist are not yet healed. I avoid going out because I’m nervous someone might bump into me, and I’ve been dealing with agonising pain in my shoulders due to the jolt my body took. But the fat suit I wore for Falstaff saved my ribs and other joints, so I consider myself lucky.”

The Lord of the Rings star noted that he has “relived the fall” several times and described the whole experience as “horrible” because it marked the end of his participation in the show.

The cast of Player Kings, with Sir Ian McKellan front and centre, take a bow in London in April. Photo / Getty Images

He said: “I’ve relived that fall countless times. It was horrible. I thought it was the end of something. It was very upsetting. The end didn’t mean my death, but it felt like the end of my participation in the play. It was just a bloody accident! I didn’t lose consciousness, I hadn’t been dizzy, but I’ve not been able to return to the stage, and they’ve continued without me.”

Shortly after the incident took place, the Shakespearean actor took to social media to thank fans for their support.

He wrote on X: “I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support. Since the accident, during a performance of Player Kings last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses working for the National Health Service. To them, of course, I am hugely indebted. They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy and I am looking forward to returning to work.”