Ian McKellen Says He Will Return to Work After Stage Fall, Aims for 'Complete' Recovery

The 85-year-old actor was hospitalized after reportedly losing his footing during a performance of 'Player Kings' on June 17

Ian McKellen is on the road to recovery after falling off stage mid-performance in London on Monday, June 17.

The actor, 85, was hospitalized after losing his footing during a fight scene in Player Kings at the Noël Coward Theatre, according to BBC News. The producers of the play told PEOPLE in a statement that the Lord of the Rings star has undergone a scan and is expected to make a “full recovery” following the fall.

"Thank you to our audience and the general public for their well wishes following Ian’s fall during this evening’s performance of Player Kings,” the statement began. “Following a scan, the brilliant NHS [National Health Service] team have assured us that he will make a speedy and full recovery and Ian is in good spirits.”

“The production has made the decision to cancel the performance on Tuesday 18 June so Ian can rest," the statement continued. "Those affected will be contacted by their point of purchase as soon as possible tomorrow. Thank you to doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support.”

McKellen later thanked everyone for their “kind messages and support” following the accident.

“Since the accident, during a performance of Player Kings last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses working for the National Health Service,” he said in a statement to Variety. “To them, of course, I am hugely indebted. They have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy and I am looking forward to returning to work.”

Related: Ian McKellen Says He'd Reprise His Lord of the Rings Gandalf Role in Upcoming Gollum Movie 'If I'm Alive'

The audience was evacuated by theater staff following the incident, per BBC News. The outlet reported that McKellen, who plays the character of John Falstaff in the play, fell off the front of the stage and cried out in pain as crew members rushed to help.

Audience member Charlie Johnson told ITV News, "There were strobe lights and then it all went dark, at which point you could see the silhouette of Sir Ian come out from the wings. And the way the stage works at the Noel Coward is there's sort of a step down just as the stage meets the audience."

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‘I think what happened was he put his foot too far, sort of went off that initial step, at which point he lost his balance and pretty much just went head first into the audience," he added. "And within seconds a blood-curdling scream arose from the actor. He was clearly in a lot of pain, he was screaming, 'Help me.' "

A source told PEOPLE that the English actor was “fine” immediately after the scare.

Related: Ian McKellen Says He Doesn't Plan to Retire Anytime Soon: 'Why Shouldn't I Carry On?'

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It's hoped the star, who is best known for playing Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and Magneto in the X-Men films, will return to the stage on Wednesday, 19 June, for a matinee performance, per ITV.

McKellen has been appearing in Player Kings — a production of Henry IV — since it kicked off its 12-week run in April. The play ends its West End run on Saturday, June 22.

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