Ian McKellen claims he was mistaken for Michael Gambon's 'ghost'

Sir Ian McKellen has claimed that he frequently gets mistaken for Sir Michael Gambon despite the fact the actor died last year.

Sir Ian, 84, says that for years people would mix the two up as both had portrayed famous white-haired wizards on screen with him playing Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy and The Hobbit films and Sir Michael portraying Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films.

However, he was left mystified that despite Sir Michael’s passing last year aged 82, that the confusion still persists even as recently as just last week.

Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, he explained: “Michael Gambon, who played the other wizard, and I were often mistaken for each other, and an odd thing happened last week.

“I was waiting for a train and two women in their 20s said, ‘Are you Michael Gambon?’. I told them that he was dead, and they said, ‘Yes we know but are you him?’ I think they thought they had seen a ghost.”

Sir Ian McKellen and Michael Sheen during the filming for the Graham Norton Show (PA Wire)

Fellow guest Michael Sheen, 55, said he could relate as he has experienced similar himself.

The Good Omens star said: “A lot of people think I am Andy Serkis from Lord Of The Rings.

“I was once followed out of a restaurant in LA by someone screaming Gollum! Gollum! Gollum! I am not recognised as Andy, but just the hideous character he plays. It’s terrible.”

The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC One at 10.40pm and is also available on BBC iPlayer.

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