The 85-year-old actor, who fell from a London stage in June, says he still has ‘agonising pains’ and avoids leaving the house.

Ian McKellen says his fat suit “saved” him after he fell off stage during a London performance in June, though he remains in “agonising pain” while he recovers from the injuries.

The 85-year-old actor was two months into a season of Player Kings – as Shakespeare’s Falstaff – when he fell from the stage into the first row of the audience at London’s Noël Coward theatre. He subsequently withdrew from the show.

“My chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist are not yet healed,” McKellen told Saga magazine, in a new interview on Tuesday. “I avoid going out because I’m nervous someone might bump into me, and I’ve been dealing with agonising pains 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 Fall

The fall happened during a fight scene, he said, where “my foot got caught in a chair, and trying to shake it off I started to slide on some newspaper that was scattered over the stage, like I was on a skateboard”.

He fell into the lap of “someone in the front row” and started screaming.

“It was very upsetting. The end [didn’t mean] my death. It was my participation in the play.”

McKellen said that he doesn’t feel guilty about the accident, but he continues to reassure himself that he isn’t “too old to act and it was just a bloody accident”.

“I didn’t lose consciousness, I hadn’t been dizzy, but I’ve not been able to go back,” he told Saga, adding that he remains in a neck brace and his right hand remains splinted.

Repercussions and Recovery

The incident has left a lasting impact on McKellen, both physically and emotionally. He admitted to “reliving that fall I don’t know how many times. It was horrible.” The actor has been forced to withdraw from the play and is still recovering from his injuries. The fall has also shaken McKellen's confidence, making him question his ability to continue acting. He has been grappling with the emotional turmoil of the accident, repeatedly reassuring himself that he is not “too old to act” and that it was “just a bloody accident.”

Despite his injuries, McKellen expresses gratitude for the support of his friends and family. He also seems to be taking a positive outlook on his recovery, focusing on his work and trying to put the incident behind him. He acknowledges the accident has “let down the whole production” but maintains that he does not feel guilty.

What the Future Holds

McKellen's resilience and determination are evident in his perspective on the fall. He has not let the accident define him, instead choosing to focus on the positive aspects of his life and his career. He acknowledges the possibility of returning to the play, but he is not rushing to make any decisions. He is taking things one step at a time, focusing on his recovery and continuing to do what he loves - acting. His dedication to his craft and his positive attitude are an inspiration, demonstrating that even at 85, he is still going strong and defying age.

It is unclear when McKellen will return to the stage, but his fans are hopeful that he will make a full recovery and continue to grace the world with his talent and charisma. He has not ruled out a return to the production, saying that “there are suggestions we’ll do (the play) again, but we’ll see.” McKellen's ability to persevere despite his age and the recent accident highlights his unwavering dedication to his craft. It will be exciting to see what he does next.