“What do you do?” says Ian – never Sir Ian to his face – McKellen. I’m the film editor for the magazine, I say. “Yes, I know that,” he replies, “but if he’s interviewing me, what do you actually do?”

As the two actors sit down to pick their way through McKellen’s astonishing career, the job in my head is to facilitate this conversation, but in reality, it’s to make sure the Dictaphones work and watch as Freeman makes my job look very easy.

Our special guest journalist Martin Freeman interviews the wizard in his life, Sir Ian McKellen, about acting, the internet, sex scenes and the end of his 15-year journey through Middle-earthThe Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five ArmiesHobbitBentScandalThe HobbitThe HobbitThe HobbitThe Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies is in cinemas nationwide from 12 December

[Photography: PIP]