Sir Ian McKellen has told how he wished there had been a Pride celebration in Bolton when he was growing up as the town prepares to stage a weekend of festivities.

The Hollywood A-lister who attended Bolton School said he wishes he could attend Bolton Pride 2022 after having attended the first one in 2015.

Sir Ian told The Bolton News: "How I wish there had been a Pride celebration in Bolton when I was growing up there 70 years ago and felt I was the only gay boy in town.

“Isolation because of one’s sexuality is a miserably confusing state.

"Anyone feeling like that should watch the 2022 Pride parade pass by and see the thousands of gay Boltonians and their friends, at ease with themselves, bringing a special joy to their hometown.

“I wish I could be there to join in the fun but send my best wishes to the organisers and everyone else involved.”

Now fully back after two years of Covid interruptions, Bolton Pride organisers are billing it as bigger and better than ever.

The Bolton News: Sir Ian McKellen delivers a speech to Bolton School Boy's Division in the Great Hall as part of his 80th birthday celebrations and Stonewall's 30th anniversary Sir Ian McKellen delivers a speech to Bolton School Boy's Division in the Great Hall as part of his 80th birthday celebrations and Stonewall's 30th anniversary

This year’s celebrations mark the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK and, although Associate Director of Communications and Campaigns at Stonewall Sasha Misra (she/her) admits attitudes are getting better, she hopes the anniversary can serve as another reminder that there is still plenty of work to be done.

She said: “Pride is a celebration LGBTQ+ lives and, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first pride march, a symbol how far LGBTQ+ rights have come over the past five decades.

“YouGov polling shows more than seven in ten Brits now support LGBTQ+ people, something that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago.”

The Bolton News:

“But, despite this, we can’t be complacent - we are still being attacked by our media and in our politics, and our hard-won rights are at risk. That’s why the silent majority must take meaningful action to support LGBTQ+ people.

“From a school implementing an inclusive curriculum to writing to your MP calling for an inclusive conversion therapy ban, there’s so many ways for everyone to support LGBTQ+ people.

“This pride season, we can all fight for a world where our communities are free to be ourselves.”

The celebrations for Bolton Pride start with a launch party from 7pm at The Vaults bar on Friday, August 4.

Events will carry on right through the weekend until Sunday's family fun day.