Ian McKellen ‘taken to hospital after falling off stage’

The Lord Of The Rings actor, 85, was in a fight scene when he lost his footing and fell from the stage

Sir Ian McKellen is currently playing John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings (Matt Crossick/PA)

Ian McKellen has been taken to hospital after he fell from the stage during a West End performance.

The Lord Of The Rings actor, 85, who is currently playing John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre, was in a fight scene when he lost his footing and fell from the stage, the BBC reported.

The audience were informed that the remainder of the evening performance had been cancelled and they were evacuated from the premises.

A BBC journalist, who saw the play, said the veteran stage and screen actor was in a scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell off the front of the stage.

The actor was heard to cry out in pain as staff rushed to help.

Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, parts one and two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, is due to move to the Bristol Hippodrome in July and will also be staged in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.

Mr McKellen’s representatives and the ambulance service have been approached for comment.