McKellen hates watching his own work

Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he can't watch his own work because he is too critical of his performances.

The award-winning actor said all he can hear and see are mistakes in both his films and on stage. He told the Daily Express: "It's no pleasure. I did see Macbeth and it's a little like looking at old snaps of yourself. I know it's good, but when I look at myself in it, all I can hear are lines and inflections I don't like.

"In Othello I speak too quickly. The performance is fine. The reading is fine. The execution is not.

"Richard III - terrific. But then, it was a film. More care goes into a film. It's different."