SIR Ian McKellen accepted the ice bucket challenge in his typical flamboyant style — although best friend Sir Patrick Stewart was nowhere to be seen.

The pair are well known for their online hijinks, but this time the Lord of the Rings star had to make do without his X-Men co-star as he finished filming Mr Holmes at 3 Mills Studio, London, where he plays an ageing Sherlock Holmes.

However the 75-year-old did not disappoint as he was joined by a hoard of male dancers help him with his video.

Tipping the ice cold bucket of water over his head, the former Bolton School pupil nominated Laura Linney, Derek Jacobi and Anthony Hopkins.

Meanwhile Patrick Stewart was left to go solo with his challenge, which saw him writing out a cheque before pouring whiskey into a glass with ice.

The ice bucket challenge has become an internet sensation with people nominating each other to help raise money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and motor neurone disease.