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Ian McKellen: 'I count myself lucky’

Sir Ian McKellen talks of his 'shock' at fracturing his wrist after falling off the stage of London's Noël Coward Theatre. The 85-year-old had to take a break from acting to rest.

Sir Ian McKellen, who is 85, has had a sparkling acting career. His on-screen credits include Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, and Magneto in the X-Men movies, as well as roles in Beauty and the Beast, The Da Vinci Code and Mr Holmes. He is also thought to be one of the greatest modern Shakespearean actors, with credits including the roles of Richard II, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, King Lear and Macbeth.

But back in June, he was forced to take a break from acting, after falling off the stage during a performance of 'Player Kings' at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. Sir Ian had been performing in a fight scene when he seemed to lose his footing. He was taken to hospital and the play was cancelled.

In this episode of 5 Minutes On, our reporter Tim Muffett sits down with Sir Ian as he recalls what happened and talks about what's next.

(Image: ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳)

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6 minutes