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PBS edits Ian McKellen's wedding tackle from 'Lear'

Mar 27, 2009, 10:35 GMT

Ian McKellen. He said: "The channel has its rules. It\'s all right to see someone have their eyes gouged out, but it\'s not right to see an old man with his trousers down." © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Sir Ian McKellen is furious his nude scene was cut from a TV broadcast of 'King Lear' because he is too old.

The 69-year-old acting legend was stunned by the Public Broadcasting Service's decision to remove his manhood-baring monologue from the TV production of the Shakespearean play when it aired in America on Wednesday night (25.03.09).

He said: "The channel has its rules. It's all right to see someone have their eyes gouged out, but it's not right to see an old man with his trousers down."

Ian played the tragic king on stage for 18 months, touring the world with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He said: "It takes a lot out of you but it's very rewarding. Having done it, I wouldn't mind doing it again."

The openly homosexual actor recently confessed he regrets spending nearly half a century being dishonest about his sexuality.

He said: "You don't like yourself. It rots you."

Ian revealed he was gay during a BBC Radio 4 debate with broadcaster Peregrine Worsthorne about Section 28 legislation in 1988. The act banned the promotion of homosexuality in British schools.