SIR Ian McKellen's 80th birthday tour will bring the celebrated actor to the Grand Opera House, York, for the first time to present Ian McKellen On Stage With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others…And You! on June 17 next year at 7.30pm.

“I’m celebrating my 80th birthday by touring a new solo show to theatres I know well and a few that I don’t. The show starts with Gandalf and will probably end with an invitation to act with me on stage," said Sir Ian. "In-between there will be anecdotes and acting. I open at my local arts centre in January and end up by August in Orkney.

"Live theatre has always been thrilling to me, as an actor and in the audience. Growing up in Lancashire, I was grateful to those companies who toured beyond London and I’ve always enjoyed repaying that debt by touring up and down the country myself."

Tickets are on sale on 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york.