Dec 22, 2008, 4:00 GMT
Sir Ian McKellen wishes he had revealed he was gay earlier.
Ian McKellen. The openly homosexual actor - who came out on live radio in 1988 when he was 49 years old - regrets spending nearly half a century being dishonest about his sexuality © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
The openly homosexual actor - who came out on live radio in 1988 when he was 49 years old - regrets spending nearly half a century being dishonest about his sexuality.
He said: "You don't like yourself. It rots you."
However, the 'Lord of the Rings' star thinks his illustrious career might have been different had he been open about his sexual preferences from an early age.
He said: "I couldn't spend my life being in gay plays."
The 69-year-old actor told the world he was gay during a BBC Radio 4 debate with broadcaster Peregrine Worsthorne about Section 28 legislation. The act banned the promotion of homosexuality in British schools.
Ian still maintains he was right to argue his point during the radio show.
He added: "I'm not often convinced I'm right but practically everything I've said on gay rights, I know I'm right. I know better than the people who are telling me I'm wrong."
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