Sir Ian McKellen taken to hospital after falling from stage during play

Lancashire's Sir Ian McKellen has been rushed to hospital after falling from the stage. The Lord of the Rings actor lost his footing during a scene from Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London.

The Burnley-born star reportedly cried out in pain and staff rushed to help, according to the BBC. The audience was evacuated from the theatre and the rest of the show was cancelled.

It is understood the actor, 85, was taken to hospital - however there have been no updates on his injuries. Sir Ian was playing John Falstaff in Player Kings - a production of the Shakespeare plays Henry IV Parts One and Two.

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He was enacting a fight scene when he fell. The play had started its 12-week run in April. A BBC journalist, who saw the play, said the veteran stage and screen actor was in a scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell off the front of the stage.

The actor was heard to cry out in pain as staff rushed to help. Player Kings, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, is due to move to the Bristol Hippodrome in July and will also be staged in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle. Sir Ian’s representatives and the ambulance service have been approached for comment.