Gandalf meets the ‘Oldest gay in the village’

George Montague affectionately known as the Oldest Gay in the Village got the shock of his life on Sunday when Sir Ian McKellen stopped by at his book signing session during the Village Street Party in St James Street.

George 91, a Pride Ambassador in 2013 spent Saturday afternoon in the Access Tent on Preston Park signing copies of his new book The Oldest Gay in the Village, a brutally honest story about the double life that George led in the 1940’s when he lived his straight life in public and his gay life in secret while being married to his wife Vera and fathering three children.

On Saturday evening he continued signing books outside Gelateria de Luca in St James Street. He returned on Sunday afternoon to continue signing his books when Sir Ian McKellen stopped by while on a walking tour around the village with two friends.

A shocked George chatted to Sir Ian and had a photographs taken with the Lord of the Rings star.

George said: “Saturday at Pride was one of the best days of my life and meeting Sir Ian on Sunday just made my Pride even better. He bought two copies of my book for the two friends with him and signed a copy of my book for myself and Somchai which I will cherish forever.

“He told me he already had a copy of my book which was such a thrill to find out.

“I was flattered by the number of young people, predominantly ladies who stopped, kissed me and then wanted a selfie with me.

“Each time I would ask for a small donation for the Rainbow Fund which has been donated to them along with the money I collected in my bucket all day on the Pride Parade and at Preston Park.”

George is 91 years young and lives on Brighton seafront with his partner Somchai. They met in 1997 and  have been civil partners since 2006. They spend the winter months in Thailand where they have a home returning to Brighton each year for the summer months.

The Oldest Gay in the Village is published by John Blake Publishing, costs £8.99 and is available from Amazon.