Sir Ian McKellen, 85, reveals he suffered 'injuries to wrist and neck' after horror West End fall
Acting legend Sir Ian McKellen said it is with 'the greatest reluctance' that he is taking medical advice to 'protect' his recovery as he pulls out of the national tour of Player Kings after suffering injuries to his neck and wrists
Sir Ian McKellen has revealed the injuries he suffered after his horror stage fall during a West End production two weeks ago.
The legendary actor, 85, took X, formerly known as Twitter on Tuesday to share an update after he revealed he had pulled out of the national tour of Player Kings a day before. The veteran actor had shocked audience members when he fell "head first" during a performance of the play at the Noel Coward Theatre in London a fortnight ago.
Thankfully, the Lord of the Rings star, who played Gandalf in the film franchise, is on the mend - but he has sustained injuries.
Opening up about the horror fall from stage, where Ian was heard screaming in agony, he told his fans on X: "Just two weeks after my accident onstage I want to assure my many well-wishers that the injuries (to wrist and neck) are on the mend. My doctor's promise a complete recovery - but only if I avoid work over the next few weeks."
After the shock incident, Ian was rushed to hospital to receive treatment and the remainder of his performances for the week were cancelled in a bid to give the actor time to rest and recover. However, the film legend said it is with “the greatest reluctance” he is taking medical advice to “protect my recovery” and withdraw from the national tour.
The Lord of The Rings legend said confirmed this week: "Two weeks after my accident onstage, my injuries improve day by day. It’s with the greatest reluctance that I have accepted the medical advice to protect my full recovery by not working in the meantime.
"I had been so looking forward to bringing Player Kings to theatre-goers in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle. But I can assure them that, with David Semark now playing Falstaff, Robert Icke’s production and his acting company remain as dazzling as ever. Go see for yourself."
A statement from the production said: “Following Ian McKellen’s injury during the West End run of Player Kings, his doctors’ advice is to take time off from work in order to fully recover. As such, he will not be returning to play Sir John Falstaff in the national tour of Players Kings (3-27 July 2024). Ian continues to recuperate very well, but he needs the time to rest and ensure a complete recovery. We continue to send him our best wishes.
“As it was for the final West End performances, the role of Falstaff will now be performed by David Semark, Ian’s brilliant understudy, for all tour dates of Player Kings.” The star's theatre fall last month left his fans across the world concerned.
After the worrying scenes in London's West End one theatre-goer recounted the shocking moment when the legendary actor "flew head first" into her after a tumble from the stage. Sir Ian was playing John Falstaff in the Shakespearean production when he lost his balance during a fight scene and fell off the stage.
Johanna, a front-row audience member, shared her experience with the BBC. The 30-year-old from Leatherhead, Surrey, told the broadcaster: "Getting crushed by Gandalf the Grey, that's something you don't expect." She explained that the actor seemed to "trip on this bit of prop" on the stage, before falling onto her, with his head striking her knee "quite hard". Johanna recalled: "As he tripped on that he built up momentum and flew head first into me in the audience."
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