Sir Ian McKellen was in good spirits as he attended the premiere of The Critic in London on Monday.
The actor, 85, was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End on June 17 when he lost his footing in a fight scene and plunged from the stage into the audience.
He suffered a chipped his vertebrae and fractured his wrist when he plummeted off stage but was back on his feet for the launch of his new film.
And while the Lord Of The Rings star is still ‘having to deal with it emotionally’, he was all smiles as he opened in his thriller.
Opening up about how he felt following the incident, he told Sky News: ‘I felt ashamed of myself, I felt I let the audience down and I felt guilty.’
Sir Ian McKellen was in good spirits as he attended the premiere of The Critic in London on Monday
The actor, 85, was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End on June 17 when he lost his footing in a fight scene and plunged from the stage into the audience
‘The Shakespearean actor donned a checkered suit for the evening and accessorised with a dark green neckerchief that was covered in polka dots.
He finished off the whole look with a rainbow tie and a pair of smart brown shoes for the glamorous occasion.
The new movie is set in 1930s London following the life of theatre critic Jimmy Erskine portrayed by Sir Ian.
He was joined by co-stars Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong for the occasion, and the three looked overjoyed.
At one point, he planted a kiss on the cheek of the St Trinian’s actress, who plays stage star Nina Land in the film.
In his first interview since the fall, the Ian told Saga Magazine that he chipped his vertebrae and fractured his wrist when he plummeted off stage – but revealed his fat suit prevented him from suffering even more serious injures.
The Vicious star said he has been left with ‘agonising’ pain which puts him off going outside, and even leaves him questioning whether he is ‘too old to act’.
He was joined by co-stars Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong for the occasion, and the three looked overjoyed (L-R: Gemma Arterton, Ian McKellen and Mark Strong)
The Vicious star was obviously chuffed to see acclaimed actress Gemma and the pair posed happily together
The Vicious star was obviously chuffed to see acclaimed actress Gemma and the pair posed happily together
At one point, he planted a kiss on the cheek of the St Trinian’s actress, who plays stage star Nina Land in the film
In July, Sir Ian took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a health update with his legions of fans
Ian, who now wears a neck brace and wrist support, said: ‘My chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist are not yet mended.’
Ian, who now wears a neck brace and wrist support, said: ‘My chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist are not yet mended.
At the time, he explained: ‘I don’t go out because I get nervous in case someone bangs into me, and I’ve got agonising pains in my shoulders to do with my whole frame having been jolted.
‘But I was wearing a fat suit for Falstaff and that saved my ribs and other joints. So I’ve had a lucky escape really.’
He added: ‘I’ve relived that fall I don’t know how many times. It was horrible.’
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