Legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen has been spotted running errands as he covered up his neck brace with a scarf following his horror West End stage fall last month
Sir Ian McKellen has been spotted running errands while covering up his neck brace following his horrific stage fall.
The legendary actor, 85, shocked audience members when he fell "head first" during a performance of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London last month. He was rushed to hospital to receive treatment and the remainder of his performances were cancelled in a bid to give the actor time to rest and recover.
Sir Ian suffered injuries to his neck and wrist after the unfortunate fall, which has seen him forced to pull out of the national tour of Player Kings. The Lord of the Rings star has been sure to remain in good spirits despite the set back and has been seen getting out and about.
He was spotted running errands near his London home as he popped to the local shops. Sir Ian kept fashionable as he wore a blue scarf over his neck brace that complimented his dark blue shirts and light blue T-shirt. The actor added a grey fedora hat and light-grey slip-on shoes.
In the snaps seen by Metro, Sir Ian held a box of biscuits and later a Waitrose shopping bag. His wrist was also seen in a black support band. Opening up about the horror fall from stage, he told his fans last week 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."
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 Gandalf star said confirmed: "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.”
A theatre-goer recalled the shocking moment when the legendary actor "flew head first" into her after a tumble from the stage. The woman told the BBC: "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 added: "As he tripped on that he built up momentum and flew head first into me in the audience."