Wizard on Weatherfield
Tuesday, 04 Oct 2005 12:56
You shall not pass...my tractor
Sir Ian McKellen, one of our country's most celebrated thespians, appears to have developed a taste for the high-brow world of soap.
After playing a star turn in Coronation Street as conniving 'author' Mel Hutchwright, who we saw having an on-screen spat with Weatherfield legend Ken Barlow (played by Bill Roache), Sir Ian has now hinted that he is willing to do a stint in Emmerdale.
The 66-year-old, who is a veteran of stage and screen and is now best known for his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, would like to play a long-lost Dingle, apparently.
A TV mole told the Daily Star: "[Sir Ian] does watch Emmerdale when he can - and he loves the Dingle family.
"He'd love to become a part of the clan in a guest role."
It's said that Sir Ian would have no hesitation in joining ITV's other flagship soap if the right part and storyline could be arranged.
However, the soap's bosses are going to have their work cut out to get his attention. Sir Ian is already filming no less than three Hollywood blockbusters, including X Men 3, in which he plays Magneto.