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Actor Sir Ian McKellen is planning to swap his king's crown and sceptre for hospital scrubs and appear on the set of Shortland Street on Monday.
The 68-year-old star, who played Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, may appear in a walk-on role, possibly as a nurse or hospital cleaner, after saying he had always wanted to star in the hit medical drama.
McKellen had been due to attend filming yesterday but decided the lure of New Zealand's beaches coupled with fine weather was more tempting. "He was going to come in today but they went to the beach," said Shortland Street publicist Rachael Keereweer.
She said a cameo by McKellen was dependent on his schedule and she rated him a 50:50 chance to appear on the show. It was also unclear what his role would be.
McKellen, who has been playing the title role of King Lear in Auckland with the Royal Shakespeare Company as part of a five-nation tour, appeared in 10 episodes of Coronation Street, made in 2005, as conman and scribbler Mel Hutchwright.
