Sir Ian McKellen No Longer Considers Himself A Northerner

Sir Ian McKellen may have to gird himself for the wrath of the North, after deciding to disown his northern roots.

McKellen, who was born in Burnley and grew up in Bolton, has said that his time in London has distanced him from his Lancastrian heritage.

“I certainly wouldn’t define myself as a northerner,” he said.

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“I’m not even really sure what that means. I’ve lived in London for 50 years.

“I wasn’t born here but I have spent most of my life here. So I don’t make much of it to be honest. I’m just myself.”

McKellen attended the Bolton School, where he was head boy, with the school naming its drama studio after him.

“I don’t go back. I’ve not got family there so I’ve no reason to do so unless it is for work,” he added.

“When I appeared in Coronation Street I lived in Manchester and enjoyed it very much. But otherwise, no.”

Local businessman Lee Bolton, who had organised a flashmob event to promote the town, told the Daily Telegraph that he was ‘shocked’ and ‘upset’ by the comments made by McKellen.

“We are a fun town, dozens of people turned out to promote the fact the town has soul by taking part in a flashmob this week because people care about Bolton,” he said.

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“We are proud to be northern. His comments are silly, he should be proud. It’s a real shame. We feel let down.”

McKellen performed his first Shakespeare at the school, playing Malvolio in ‘Twelfth Night’, and a glowing tribute from him remains on the website from when he opened the McKellen Studio Theatre in 2010.

“I remember my days at school vividly and with great affection. Bolton School has a great tradition in the liberal arts. The teachers were very enthusiastic and I learnt that acting was an honourable thing to do and not just something for oddballs.

“I’ve always acted for the love of it and this first love was inspired at Hopefield, the school theatre,” he said.

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Image credit: Rex Features