Sir Ian McKellen's Widow Twankey proved a box office draw at Christmas

The actor told BBC One's Breakfast that he plans to reprise his role as Window Twankey at the Old Vic theatre, where Kevin Spacey is artistic director.

"The widow has hung up her boobs for the rest of the year but she's going to take them down again because she had such a good time," said McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings star made his debut as a panto dame in December 2004.

McKellen is currently taking a six month sabbatical from acting, allowing him to concentrate on his role as a cultural ambassador for London's 2012 Olympic bid.

'Adventure'

"I'll do a couple of films towards the end of the year, then I'll do panto again," said the two-time Oscar nominee.

The 65-year-old star called his panto debut "a bit of an adventure".

"I believe there's more pure theatre in a pantomime than you get in Shakespeare, and if it works, it's unforgettable," he added.

BBC News reviewer Ben Sutherland said McKellen stole the show when he starred in Aladdin at the Old Vic last Christmas.