Out and proud actor Sir Ian McKellen may have a cameo role on Shortland Street, if he doesn't decide to head to bed instead, reports the NZ Herald. McKellen says he's always wanted to star in TV2's long-running medical soap. His walk-on role cannot be confirmed yet as it depends on his schedule, but possibilities include a nurse or hospital cleaner. The 68-year-old star had been due to visit the Shortland Street set in west Auckland on Friday, but went to the beach instead, says publicist Rachael Keereweer. McKellen, has been playing the title role of King Lear in Auckland with the Royal Shakespeare Company, appeared in 10 episodes of Coronation Street in 2005, as conman Mel Hutchwright. At the recent Gay Auckland Business Association dinner with McKellen, the veteran actor spoke about how much he enjoyed and admired New Zealand. "It's not just physically that New Zealand is so special, beautiful, alluring and unforgettable… it's the attitude to life here - you set standards that the rest of the world should be following." Ref: NZ Herald, GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 25th August 2007 - 5:48pm