Ian McKellen considered turning down his knighthood

Award-winning actor Ian McKellen says he considered turning down his knighthood in 1991.

"The Lord of the Rings" star felt the awards system is unfair, but was eventually encouraged to take it by his friends, reports mirror.co.uk.

"I don't think we should have titles. Actors are more likely to get them than fire chiefs or people who have spent their lives doing charity work. It's a bit unfair, isn't it?," McKellen, 75, said.

"I was in two minds about it," he added.

When asked why he eventually agreed, he said friends encouraged him to take it.