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Ian McKellen says Shakespeare fat suit saved him during stage fall

01:09

Ian McKellen reveals ‘nasty’ injuries in first TV interview since 3ft stage fall

Sir Ian McKellen has revealed the “nasty” injuries he sustained in his first television interview since falling three feet from a stage during a Shakespeare play.

Sir Ian McKellen said a fatsuit he wore to play the Shakespearean character Falstaff saved him from even worse injuries when he fell from the stage back in June.

The actor told BBC Breakfast on Monday (2 September): “It was a nasty fall and came as a shock.

“I fractured my wrist and chipped a vertebrae.”

Sir Ian also explained how he fell after getting his foot caught in a chair.

The actor added: “I was extremely lucky I was wearing a padded suit.”

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