Sir Ian McKellen tears up as he explains the power of being loved and being called 'love'

Love is a feeling and expression that binds everyone on this planet. We are divided by political borders, languages and distinct cultures but united by the common feeling of love for one another. It is a feeling so powerful that it brought tears to the eyes of Sir Ian McKellen while describing a beautiful encounter during an appearance on the "Three Little Words podcast"—presented by John Bishop and Tony Pitts—in December 2022. In the episode, the well-known actor who was born in Burnley, England, discussed the three words that mean the most to him, which has been a recurrent topic of the podcast.

The clip from the podcast went viral on the internet and was also posted on Reddit by u/Sno0pyBo0. In the video, McKellen says: "If you ever arrive in Manchester, if you're lucky enough to be able to afford the train fare, you come down the steps at Piccadilly, and if you're lucky enough to be able to afford a taxi. You get in the back of one, and the taxi driver, usually a man but not always, says: 'Where you going to love?'"

McKellan took a deep breath at this point and began tearing up, before stating: "Oh, and I feel I'm home. Where grown men call strangers 'love.' I think if we all did that, it would be a rather better place, wouldn't it? And when people have got problems with gender, pronouns, and so on, 'love' covers everyone really. Just call everyone 'love.'" The "Lord of the Rings" actor gave a simple solution on how we can spread warmth and love in the world and people online wholeheartedly agree with him.

Reddit user, Vinco12345, wrote: "Those guys hang on every single word he says. Sir Ian truly is a treasure." u/RandomYell107 commented, "So calling someone 'love' is gender neutral? I’m using that." u/Relax_Im_Hilarious said: "I've been saying it for 3 years now. Idk why, just loved the way it sounded. I was chastised a few months ago by a family member that said it was inappropriate and I've been avoiding saying it since. I am so happy I watched this video. I'm going back to saying it."

Another Reddit user, u/Drax13522, commented: "Sir Ian McKellan is an international treasure and absolutely beautiful. Like his late friend, Sir Christopher Lee, he is a magnificent storyteller and just listening to his voice is so wonderfully satisfying. He's absolutely right, too. Love covers everything." 

In another beautiful story about love and intimacy, Anthony Bourdain, the late celebrity chef spoke about the love and warmth of sharing a meal with your date. He said: "If your date makes the experience uptight and restrictive, well, the sex is going to be horrible too. Eating is best when there is spontaneity and variety. I'm very type-A, and many things in my life are about control and domination, but eating should be a submissive experience, where you let down your guard and enjoy the ride. Eating with abandon couldn't be more of a turn-on: it shows that you're comfortable with yourself."