ONE of the UK’s most treasured actors Sir Ian McKellen is backing Wes Streeting in the race to win back Ilford North.

The Lord of the Rings star recorded a video urging voters to re-elect the Labour candidate in the General Election on June 8.

He says: “I don’t normally get involved in politics, although I have voted, I think, in every election that I’ve been able to.

“It’s a wonderful feeling, you know, when you go in and put your little cross against the name that you believe in.

“And if you don’t do it of course, then you can’t really complain if things go wrong after the election.”

He goes on: “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.

“So if that’s the sort of thing you like, I’d say vote for Wes Streeting.”

Sir Ian lives in east London and is best known for his roles as Gandalf and Magneto in X-Men.

He is also a fervent campaigner for LGBT rights, and has worked with Mr Streeting in the past to tackle homophobic bullying in schools.

He said: “Wes is an old friend of mine, who I’ve known for ages, and I really admire him as a person and as a politician and what he’s trying to do."

Mr Streeting told the Guardian he asked Sir Ian if he would endorse him soon after the Prime Minister called the election, but expected him to “politely say no”.

He said: “I asked him if he’d record a video for me, but wasn’t expecting anything, because although he’s a fantastic campaigner on so many things, he chooses to stay out of politics.

“Sir Ian is one of my heroes and I’m over the moon he’s endorsing me, but I also hope his message engages people who might not turn out and vote at a General Election – particularly younger voters.”

Asked if voters could expect any more celebrity endorsements, Mr Streeting just said he “has a few more tricks up his sleeve” between now and June 8.

He will face his predecessor Conservative Lee Scott, Liberal Democrat Richard Clare, and independent Doris Osen on polling day.