One of Britain’s most iconic actors Sir Ian McKellen has backed Labour’s Wes Streeting in the race for Ilford North.

The Lord of the Rings star endorsed Mr Streeting yesterday, and in a video shared exclusively with the Recorder he said: “I don’t normally get involved in politics, although I have voted, I think, in every election that I’ve been able to.

“So, it’s June 8 and it’s Thursday and you can vote all day. If you’re a first time voter: good luck to you.

“And if you take my advice, consider Wes Streeting as Member of Parliament for Ilford North.

“We need him back in Parliament because he is one of the great young politicians: everything before him, but his principles firmly in place.

“Like me, like you, he believes in equality and young people and has got a passion for education and opportunities for young people too.”

Sir Ian said Mr Streeting was “an old friend”, and “that I really admire him as a person and as a politician and what he’s trying to do”.

The Labour candidate told the Recorder the endorsement meant a lot to him.

He explained: “Sir Ian McKellen is one of my heroes, not just because of his career as one of the world’s greatest actors, but because he has been at the forefront of campaigns on issues like homelessness, childhood literacy and equality.”

Mr Streeting said he hoped Sir Ian’s intervention would engage “people who might not normally vote at a general election – particularly younger voters who tend not to turn out so much and so get forgotten by government”.