Sir Ian McKellen, 85, has revealed he was too scared to leave his house after falling off the stage at a West End show – but was thankfully “saved” by his fat suit.
The 85-year-old actor was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End on June 17 when he lost his balance during a fight scene and fell off the stage into the audience.
In his first interview since the fall of June, Ian said Saga Magazine who broke his vertebrae and fractured his wrist when he fell off the stage, but revealed that his fat suit prevented him from suffering even more serious injuries.
The Lord of the Rings star said he was left with “agonizing” pain that prevents him from going outside and even leaves him questioning whether he is “too old to act.”
Ian, “My splintered vertebrae and fractured wrist are still not healed,” he said, who now wears a neck brace and wrist support.
‘I don’t go outside because I get nervous that someone might bump into me, and I have excruciating pains in my shoulders from the shock to my entire body.
Sir Ian McKellen, 85, has revealed he is too scared to leave his house after falling off the stage at a West End show – but was thankfully ‘saved’ by his fat suit (pictured on stage)
In his first interview since the fall of June, Ian told Saga magazine that he injured his vertebrae and fractured his wrist when he fell off the stage, but revealed that his fat suit prevented him from suffering even more serious injuries.
“But I was wearing a fat suit for Falstaff and that saved my ribs and other joints. So I was really lucky to escape.”
He added: ‘I’ve relived that fall I don’t know how many times. It was horrible.
Speaking about his struggle with the fear of being too old to continue acting, Ian said: ‘I thought it was the end of something. It was very sad. The end didn’t mean my death. It was my part in the play.
“I have to constantly convince myself that I’m not too old to be acting and that it was just a bloody accident. I didn’t lose consciousness, I didn’t get dizzy, but I couldn’t come back and they kept playing without me.”
Sir Ian spent three nights in hospital and suffered wrist and neck injuries, meaning he was unable to complete the run of shows.
Six weeks after the horrific fall, the acting legend was still recovering from his injuries when he arrived at the Theatre Royal wearing a neck brace and wrist brace.
Ian put on a brave face as he turned up to surprise the cast of Player Kings in Newcastle after being forced to pull out of the show.
Speaking about his struggle with the fear of being too old to continue acting, Ian said: “I thought it was the end of something. It was very sad. The end didn’t mean my death. It was my part in the play.”
Ian, who now wears a neck brace and wrist support, said: “My splintered vertebrae and fractured wrist are still not healed.”
The actor took to Instagram earlier in the day to announce he would be part of the audience for the play in Newcastle.
Sharing a professional photo with his newly cut hair, Sir Ian wrote: ‘On the day of Player Kings’ 101st and final performance, without me, I celebrated by cutting Falstaff’s hair, which has been growing for 9 months.
‘I’ll be in the audience at the matinee in Newcastle.’
Earlier this month, Sir Ian took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a health update with his legions of fans.
“Just two weeks after my on-stage accident, I want to assure all my friends that the injuries (to my wrist and neck) are improving,” she wrote. “My doctors have promised me a full recovery, but only if I stay off work for the next few weeks.”
“Meanwhile, the show goes on and the Player Kings company begins its four-week tour without me,” Ian continued on X.
“Any actor will say that missing a performance is embarrassing, even when it’s not their fault. None of us want to disappoint our audiences,” he added.
Sir Ian announced he was receiving “physiotherapy, light exercise and plenty of essential rest at home” after three nights in hospital.
The actor was in a scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell from the front of the stage and was heard screaming in pain as staff rushed to help him.
Last week, Sir Ian took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a health update with his legions of fans.
In his statement, Sir Ian said: ‘After three nights in hospital, the effects of my on-stage fall have been fully assessed and I am now undergoing physiotherapy, light exercise and plenty of essential rest at home.
‘Meanwhile, my role in Player Kings is played by the formidable David Semark, supported by Robert Icke’s astonishing production and cast.
‘I am sure that the many messages of love and support will contribute to the speedy recovery that my doctors have promised me.’
Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, Parts One and Two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, has ended its run at the Noel Coward Theatre.
The play transferred to the Bristol Hippodrome before plays in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.