Sir Ian McKellen has spoken out about his health in his first interview since his "horrible" fall from the stage during West End show, Player Kings.
The actor said he is now "nervous" to go out as he is still in a neck brace and his right hand is splinted.
The 85-year-old claimed his "fat suit" in his role as John Falstaff in the condensed version of William Shakespeare's Henry IV Parts I and II, "saved" him from more serious injury.
Speaking candidly to Saga Magazine, the screen legend detailed how he was doing following the incident in June.
Stating he has "relived" what happened "many times", McKellen recalled how he'd got his foot caught on a chair, before sliding on some newspapers and landing in the lap of an audience member in the front row.
He said: "My chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist are not yet mended. I don't go out because I get nervous in case someone bangs into me, and I've got agonising pains in my shoulders to do with my whole frame having been jolted.
"But I was wearing a fat suit for Falstaff and that saved my ribs and other joints. So I've had a lucky escape really."
McKellen continued: "I thought it [the fall] was the end of something. It was very upsetting."
Clarifying how he didn't mean his death but instead the play, he added: "I have to keep assuring myself that I'm not too old to act and it was just a b****y accident.
"... I feel such shame. I was hoping to be able to rejoin the play on the tour, but I couldn't."
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