The veteran actor will be replaced by his understudy David Semark in the remaining tour stops of Player Kings, due to Sir Ian's ongoing injury. While fans will no doubt be disappointed, McKellen was the first to champion his replacement, issuing a statement this afternoon:

"Two weeks after my accident onstage, my injuries improve day by day. It's with the greatest reluctance that I have accepted the medical advice to protect my full recovery by not working in the meantime.

I had so been looking forward to bringing Player Kings to theatre-goers in Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle. But I can assure them that, with David Semark now playing Falstaff, Robert Icke's production and his acting company remain as dazzling as ever. Go see for yourself"

Player Kings also stars Ted Lasso's Toheeb Jimoh as Hal and Richard Coyle as King Henry IV. 

Once again, from all of us at Theatreland, get well soon Sir Ian!