Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesTalk about an unexpected series of events.
In the wake of runaway reports and fan concerns that Ian McKellen was battling prostate cancer, The Hobbit mainstay today took time out ahead of the royal London premiere of the Martin Freeman-starring film to set the record—and his health—straight.
"There have been new reports in the press of the old news that I have early prostate cancer," McKellen wrote in both a post on his official blog as well as on Twitter. "This was diagnosed six or seven years ago.
"There is no cause for alarm. I am examined regularly and the cancer is contained. I've not needed any treatment."
The widely circulated reports surfaced in the British tabloids yesterday, seemingly given more credence by ample quotes attributed to the knighted actor. However, confusion reigned later in the day, when the 73-year-old's agent released a statement of his own, denying that the thesp has prostate cancer and claiming that the quotes were "taken out of context and from an interview from years ago."
Glad to hear the truth straight from the wizard's mouth.