![Karen Gillan stuns fans with surprise pregnancy reveal at Toronto Film Festival Karen Gillan stuns fans with surprise pregnancy reveal at Toronto Film Festival](https://cms.virginradio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/web-karen-gillan-pregnant-getty.png?w=920&h=518&crop=1)
Doctor Who and Marvel star debuts baby bump in glamorous red carpet appearance.
Virgin Radio
19 May 2023, 11:23
Sir Ian McKellen joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch to talk about his new play with Roger Allam, and found he had a connection with the Virgin Radio presenter.
The actor, probably best known for playing Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings franchise, owns a pub called The Grapes in Limehouse, London.
It is one of the oldest pubs in the city and Sir Ian revealed it was doing “terribly well”.
He explained: “Pubs are closing all over the place but we’ve been there since 1534”.
Speaking more about the history of the building, he added: “There has been a pub on that site, right on the banks of the river since the 1500s. Dickens used to go there, and I know everyone says that Dickens went to their pub but he actually did go to ours because his godfather lived along the road.”
It turns out, Chris Evans also used to live on that road and would often pop into Sir Ian’s pub!
Chris told the actor: “We used to call it the Bunch of Grapes because I used to live on number 24 Narrow Road.”
To which a shocked Sir Ian, replied: “You didn’t! When I was there?”
Chris explained: “I lived there from 1992 to 1993 and I lived in the basement and when there was a high tide, the river covered the windows.”
“Well, I am amazed,” Sir Ian responded.
It’s a small world!
As previously mentioned, Sir Ian will be starring in a new play alongside Roger Allam called Frank & Percy, which follows two men as their relationship blossoms.
For Sir Ian, it was impossible to say no to a project like that. Speaking about when he received the script he said: “I immediately sat down and read it. About three pages in, I started laughing out loud on my own. And then, very unusually, I started to read it out loud. And suddenly I was in the play. I thought it was the most enjoyable two hours I'd ever spent, but with a new script.
He added: “It is very unusual to get a new script and say, ‘I want to do it. I want to be a part of this’ is. You usually have to be persuaded by something.”
Frank & Percy will take place at the Theatre Royal Windsor from 9th June to 22nd July.
For more great interviews listen to The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or catch up on-demand here.
Advertisement
Doctor Who and Marvel star debuts baby bump in glamorous red carpet appearance.
The legendary Rocket Man singer opens up about his recovery while attending the premiere of a new...
Amidst criticism of the film's portrayal of domestic abuse, the actor urges fans to focus on the...
Doctor Who and Marvel star debuts baby bump in glamorous red carpet appearance.
The legendary Rocket Man singer opens up about his recovery while attending the premiere of a new...
Amidst criticism of the film's portrayal of domestic abuse, the actor urges fans to focus on the...
Advertisement