Sir Ian McKellen, 82, and his co-star's, 29, heart-warming relationship progresses but one actor warns the LOTR star is 'not really a marriage man'

By Alison Boshoff for the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Sir Ian McKellen and his co-star Oscar Conlon-Morrey's heart-warming relationship seems to be progressing apace - there is even talk of an engagement.

But one well-known actor has admitted that the Lord Of The Rings star, 83, is 'really not a marriage man' after the young actor, 29, said he was 'the new love of his life.'  

Ian is currently starring in the much-lauded Mother Goose as the lead character whilst Oscar plays his on-stage son, Jack. 

New pal: Sir Ian McKellen, 83, and his co-star Oscar Conlon-Morrey's, 29, heart-warming relationship seems to be progressing apace - there is even talk of an engagement

New pal: Sir Ian McKellen, 83, and his co-star Oscar Conlon-Morrey's, 29, heart-warming relationship seems to be progressing apace - there is even talk of an engagement

The co-stars spent New Year's Eve together with Oscar telling his followers on Twitter: 'I saw in 2023 at the house of the new love of my life.'

However, one well-known actor who has shared the stage with Sir Ian has his doubts. 'Oscar has been telling friends and family of his big plans with McKellen. He's even said he thinks they'll get engaged,' he said.

But he cautioned: 'McKellen hasn't had a boyfriend in 20 years. He is really not a marriage man. He doesn't want a man living in his home. He enjoys having someone when he is on tour.' 

Work: Ian is currently starring in the much-lauded Mother Goose as the lead character whilst Oscar plays his on-stage son, Jack (pictured in the show)

Work: Ian is currently starring in the much-lauded Mother Goose as the lead character whilst Oscar plays his on-stage son, Jack (pictured in the show)

Oh dear: But one well-known actor has admitted that the Lord Of The Rings star is 'really not a marriage man' after the young actor said he was 'the new love of his life'

Oh dear: But one well-known actor has admitted that the Lord Of The Rings star is 'really not a marriage man' after the young actor said he was 'the new love of his life'

'McKellen gets infatuated; then as quickly as he is into them, he's fallen out with them. There is no way when he is out of the bubble of doing this panto that he is going to have this guy with him in East London, rattling around,' he added.

The New Year's post was accompanied by a picture of the two men smiling broadly at the camera and with their arms around each other’s shoulders.

Last year, Ian revealed he never got the chance to tell his parents he was gay as they both passed away when he was young.

Opening up: Last year, Ian revealed he never got the chance to tell his parents he was gay as they both passed away when he was young

Opening up: Last year, Ian revealed he never got the chance to tell his parents he was gay as they both passed away when he was young 

The actor has been open to the public about his sexuality since 1988 but sadly lost his mother Margery at age 12 and his father Denis when he was 22.

When asked by Jonathan Ross if he was close with his parents, Ian said: 'As close as you can be when your mother dies at 12 and dad dies when you're 22. 

'Never told them I was gay for example. Didn't see me do any of my best work. But I remember them with nothing but pleasure.'

Ian was born in Burnley and later moved to Bolton where he was raised in a religious household. 

The actor discussed coming out in his 40s, saying it made his relationships with his family and friends much better as he wasn't 'hiding anymore'.

Tough: When asked by Jonathan Ross if he was close with his parents, Ian said: 'As close as you can be when your mother dies at 12 and dad dies when you're 22'

Tough: When asked by Jonathan Ross if he was close with his parents, Ian said: 'As close as you can be when your mother dies at 12 and dad dies when you're 22' 

He said: 'I never stopped talking about it since. Made up for lost time. It changes your life utterly… I discovered myself. And everything was better. 

'My relationships with my family, with friends, with strangers, and my work got better as I wasn't hiding anymore. 

'Up to that point, my acting had really been about disguise and then when I could feel I was myself, it came about telling the truth, which was much more interesting.'

Asked if he gives advice about coming out he added: 'I keep giving them advice and saying, "Oh come on, join the modern world, it's not the same. You won't get put in prison."

'That was my dilemma when I was a kid, if I'd said I was openly gay I could have risked being prosecuted. That's not true anymore. We have very good laws in this country.' 

Candid: He said: 'Never told them I was gay for example. Didn't see me do any of my best work. But I remember them with nothing but pleasure'

Candid: He said: 'Never told them I was gay for example. Didn't see me do any of my best work. But I remember them with nothing but pleasure' 

Ian McKellen

Most watched News videos