Actor Ian McKellen has reiterated his love for Manchester in an interview with the BBC.
The Lord of the Rings star, 83, chatted to Becky Want on BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday (April 5). He was joined by comedian John Bishop, with the pair starring in the West End panto Mother Goose, which is coming to The Lowry theatre in Salford this Easter.
The run begins tonight (Wednesday April 5) and ends on Sunday (April 9). Speaking to Becky on her BBC Radio Manchester programme, Sir Ian, who was born in Burnley but grew up in Wigan and Bolton, reiterated his love for Manchester.
Becky asked Ian about a clip from a podcast he did with John which went viral, where the actor described the meaning of the word love - and what Manchester meant to him. Ian recalled the moment on BBC Radio Manchester, describing the feeling he gets arriving at Manchester Piccadilly train station.
He said: "When you get off the train and get in line for a taxi and then get in the taxi driver, man or woman, will say: 'Where are you going to love?' and you think: 'Oh that's lovely, I'm back home.'"
Elsewhere in the interview, Ian, who was knighted in 1991 for services to the performing arts, said he was sentimental about Lancashire and admitted that his accent was returning. He said: "Of course I'm sentimental about Lancashire, it formed me, it made me what I am.
"And as time goes on my Lancashire accent gets stronger and stronger and stronger. I'm going back to talking like I did when I was at school." He continued: "When I went to Cambridge and the West End I tended to drop the accent..." while putting on a more southern accent.
John added: "To be honest with you, during this run your accent slipped and I've got to pull you up about it," as he laughed. Ian laughed too, questioning: "Oh really? What am I doing wrong?"
"You've become very, you know what I mean," Jonathan replied, to which Becky asked: "Has he gone common?" John echoed: "He's gone common!" adding: "And it offends me," as the three burst out in laughter.
Ian attended Bolton School and began his acting career at Bolton Little Theatre, of which he is now the patron. At the age of 18, he won a scholarship to St Catharine's College, Cambridge, where he read English literature.
He went on to star in West End and Broadway theatre productions before making his film debut in 1969. His impressive career on stage and screen has spanned more than six decades and includes his role of Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit films and Magneto in X-Men.
He has received various accolades for his performances, including a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award and six Laurence Olivier Awards.
READ NEXT:
- Helen Flanagan channels 'Barbie' as she dazzles in hot pink jumpsuit on 'mummy's night out' during Dubai break
- Michelle Keegan says 'it's the little things' over sweet gesture as she reveals 'boost' for late-night filming and lunch of choice
- Rylan Clark tells fans he's 'near to cracking' as he reveals professional dilemma after Saturday Night Takeaway praise
- ITV Coronation Street star Daniel Brocklebank asked 'are you kidding me' as he introduces new member of his family
