Ian McKellen: Still Vicious

At the age of 73, Sir Ian McKellen is entitled to a free bus pass along with other benefits that come with being an OAP. Do not, however, suggest he is getting old. The Lord of the Rings actor says the title of his new ITV sitcom Vicious, which co-stars Sir Derek Jacobi, had to be modified after he joined the project.

“We’re playing two old gay fellows who have lived together for 50 years,” McKellen says.

“The working title was originally Vicious Old Queens - and when it was suggested to me that I might be involved, I said, 'What on earth do you mean? I’m most offended - I’m not old!’”

While McKellen, who is openly gay, may be relaxed about the term 'Queen’ being assigned to him, he displays even more insouciance when it comes to the issue of same sex marriage.

“If there are gay people who want to announce their devotion to each other, their commitment to each other, their determination to live together and stick it out through all life’s ups and downs - in other words, to be married - then obviously I think it should be available to them,” he says. 
“But I think it’s probably not for me - and I am not an unhappy person at all.”  

"Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellen" - bet she'll love that summary of her acting career - quoted in the Telegraph's gossip column society column, Mandrake.

PS At the time of typing, there's still no TX date released for Vicious. Though with puff pieces like this now appearing seemingly apropos of nothing, it must be imminent.

Update: "Towards the end of April" - ITV press office.