News | Entertainment
29 Mar 2024 20:32
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Sir Ian McKellen considered turning down knighthood as he felt the system "a bit unfair"

    The 'Lord of the Rings' star was given the honour by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 but he has admitted he nearly refused to accept it as he felt there were many people omitted from the list.


    He told the Daily Mail's Weekend magazine: "Frankly, I don't think we should have titles, really. It's a very strange system isn't it? Actors are more likely to get them than fire chiefs or people who have spent their lives doing charity work, which is a bit unfair, isn't it?

    "I was in two minds about it, I liked being Mr McKellen. And if we all said no, it would stop."

    However, after consulting with three friends, Ian decided he should accept the "alluring" honour.

    Meanwhile, Ian previously revealed he thought he was being pranked when he received a call from the offices of the Prime Minister of Britain to tell him he had been recommended for the honour.

    Recalling the conversation, he said: "Now the phone rang: 'This is 10 Downing Street'. I thought it was a colleague having a joke but no: 'The Prime Minister has been trying to reach you. She has it in mind ... to recommend that the Queen give you a knighthood.'

    "Flummoxed, I asked for time to think it over."

    © 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     29 Mar: Eva Mendes has branded her mum "incredible" for retaining her sense of humour during her battle with cancer
     29 Mar: Katie Maloney doesn't "hang out" with her 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars
     29 Mar: Jessica Chastain found it "difficult" to film 'Mothers' Instinct' with her showbiz pal Anne Hathaway
     29 Mar: Queen Camilla hosted authors and actors at a star-studded event in London to celebrate reading
     29 Mar: Simon Cowell has adopted another puppy just months after he brought home a new German Shepherd called Pebbles
     29 Mar: Tracee Ellis Ross has paid a glowing birthday tribute to Diana Ross
     29 Mar: YouTube star Ninja has been diagnosed with cancer at the age of 32
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Chiefs are backing young first-five Josh Jacomb to step up in tonight's Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Matakana Smokehouse in its recall of a specific batch of two of its salmon products because of the possible presence of Listeria More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Eva Mendes has branded her mum "incredible" for retaining her sense of humour during her battle with cancer 20:23

    Rugby League:
    NRL Good Friday: Bulldogs take on desperate Rabbitohs, Broncos renew rivalry with Cowboys 20:07

    Entertainment:
    Katie Maloney doesn't "hang out" with her 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars 19:53

    Entertainment:
    Jessica Chastain found it "difficult" to film 'Mothers' Instinct' with her showbiz pal Anne Hathaway 19:23

    Rugby:
    The Chiefs are backing young first-five Josh Jacomb to step up in tonight's Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Queen Camilla hosted authors and actors at a star-studded event in London to celebrate reading 18:53

    Law and Order:
    A man's due in court tomorrow facing a murder charge, after a body was found in a burnt-out car in Longlands, Hastings 18:47

    Business:
    New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Matakana Smokehouse in its recall of a specific batch of two of its salmon products because of the possible presence of Listeria 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Simon Cowell has adopted another puppy just months after he brought home a new German Shepherd called Pebbles 18:23

    Entertainment:
    Tracee Ellis Ross has paid a glowing birthday tribute to Diana Ross 17:53


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd