McKellen: 'I have received death threats'

Sir Ian McKellen has claimed that he has received death threats over his sexuality.

The actor made the revelation while speaking in support of a gay American preacher who has been excluded from the Anglican Church's ten-yearly conference.

The church has declined to invite Bishop Gene Robinson to this week's Lambeth Conference, but he is planning to travel to Canterbury anyway.

He and McKellen, who is also gay, will hold a question and answer session on Christianity and sexuality.

Commenting on the death threats on Sunday's Andrew Marr Show, Sir Ian said they have "declined considerably", but that there is still homophobia in British society.

"There are deaths in public places on the grounds that the victim is gay," he told the BBC One programme. "There is violence of language which can be related to violence in action."