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Sir Ian McKellen has urged voters to back Labour’s candidate for Ilford North Wes Streeting in the General Election.

The Lord of the Rings actor became the latest star to wade into the General Election when he posted an online video message in support of Mr Streeting who is campaigning to be re-elected in the north London constituency.

Mr Streeting won the seat from the Conservatives in 2015 with a wafer-thin majority of 589 votes.

Sir Ian described Mr Streeting as "one of the great young politicians" as he urged viewers to hit the ballot box on June 8.

His intervention comes after former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh introduced Jeremy Corbyn at his campaign launch, comedian Eddie Izzard hit the Labour campaign trail and Silk star Maxine Peake appeared in the party's first election broadcast.

Sir Ian, who lives in east London rather than in the Ilford North constituency, said: "I don't normally get involved in politics but I have voted, I think, in every election that I have been able to.

"It's a lovely feeling you know, when you go and put your little cross against the name that you believe in.

Ilford North 2015 MP: Wes Streeting Majority: 589 over the Conservatives

"And if you don't do it of course, you can't really complain if things go wrong after the election."

He went on: "And if you take my advice, consider Wes Streeting, Member of Parliament for Ilford North, and we need him back in Parliament because he's 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 he's got a passion for education and opportunities for young people too.

"So if that's the sort of thing that you like, I'd say vote for Wes Streeting, Ilford North, Thursday, June 8."

Mr Streeting said he was "thrilled" to have the famous actor's backing, which he hoped could tip the scales in a very close race.

He said: "I've worked with Ian McKellen before tackling homophobic and prejudice-led bullying in schools and we have kept in touch over the years.

"When the General Election was called, I knew it would be a close race in Ilford North, so I got in touch to ask him to create a video message in the hope it would reach young voters who are less likely to turn out.

"I didn't expect him to say yes, as he says in the clip, he doesn't normally get involved with politics, even though he is a big campaigner on a range of issues we both care about such as homelessness and inequality, he doesn't normally get involved in party politics.

"I was really thrilled he was willing to help with the campaign."