Sir Ian McKellen has praised Ellen Page for "coming out".
The veteran actor – who publicly revealed he was gay in 1988 – is glad the star has been open with the world about her sexuality and thinks it will serve as "encouragement" for other people to see "it does get better".
He told Buzzfeed: "All this has come to a happy conclusion, hasn’t it? With Ellen Page … coming out. That gladdened my heart so much.
"For people who are lonely… reading that about someone whose career they follow is a little bit of a help and encouragement to them to think it does get better."
The star revealed while he was always openly gay, once he made the decision to properly "come out" he realised his life had become "a slightly better place".
He added: "Anyone in public life who comes out, comes out primarily for themselves, and their life is immediately improved. That’s what happened to me. The world [became] a slightly better place."
Ellen Page revealed the news in a passionate statement earlier this month.
The ‘Juno’ star said: "I’m here today because I’m gay. And because maybe I can make a difference – to help others have an easier and more hopeful time.
"Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I also do it selfishly, because I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out.
"My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain."
Ian McKellen praises Ellen Page for coming out
