Here's why Ian McKellen almost turned down knighthood in 1991

London: Ian McKellen has revealed that he felt his knighthood award in 1991 was unfair and didn't want to take it but eventually his friends encouraged him.

'The Lord of the Rings' star said that titles shouldn't have been given to actors as when they are compared to others than fire chiefs or people who spend their lives doing charity work deserve it more, the Mirror reported.

The 75-year-old veteran English actor shared that when he was about to be honoured he had was in two minds, but then he accepted it as his pals encouraged him to take it.