Ian McKellen
© Eric Gaillard / Reuters
Whatever your stance on leaving the European Union, everyone has to admit Brexit hasn't exactly been punctual. Following the 2016 referendum, the UK was meant to leave the EU on 31 March, before it was pushed back to 31 October... and now, it's been delayed another three months, until 31 January 2020.

But Sir Ian McKellen isn't too optimistic about that happening either. The 80-year-old reckons he'll be 'long dead' by the time Brexit actually happens - and isn't getting involved with his opinion anymore. The legendary actor told PA: 'I did think the other day, as we battle through Brexit, I thought "Oh good God, when I'm long dead they still won't have the Brexit deal complete, so I think I won't take a view on it".

'I've withdrawn entirely, emotionally, from the race and am now watching it as a bit of chess and all I can say is they are wretched players and don't know a pawn from a queen.' We're sure there's a few people who can relate. While Ian is opting out of the Brexit debate, the Lord of the Rings actor previously made his political leanings known in 2017 when he backed Labour's Wes Streeting in the general election.

In a video for the Ilford Recorder, McKellen said: 'I don't normally get involved in politics, although I have voted I think in every election I've been able to. It's a lovely feeling you know, when you go and put your little cross next to the name that you believe in.'

The stage legend has also been a champion for LGBTQ+ rights over the years and campaigned against Section 28 of the Local Government Act after coming out as gay in 1988. McKellen currently stars alongside fellow British acting icon Helen Mirren in The Good Liar.