Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016: Sir Michael Gambon keen to be cast as a ‘silent butler’ to overcome memory problems

Sir Michael Gambon is looking for someone to cast him as a silent butler so that he doesn’t have to learn any lines.

The legendary actor, who recently retired from stage acting last year because of his deteriorating memory, said that he was missing being on stage ‘enormously’.

Speaking to London Live at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, he said: “I can’t be in plays any more because can’t remember lines - I’ve got something wrong with my brain.

“I wish I could be one of them but all I can do now is play speaking parts with a plug through my ear.”

The 76-year-old went on to say that he was hoping to find someone who would cast him in a non-speaking role.

“I’m just waiting for one of these blokes to give me a part in one of their plays, where I’m like a butler and I come on every two minutes and don’t know what I’m doing and I don’t speak much,” he said.

“Someone will offer me that one day. Any of these blokes who wants butler in any of their new West End plays, with a bit of dosh, I’d be an excellent butler.

“I would never smile of course, I’d be always miserable.”

Gambon started worrying about his memory a couple of years ago but the doctor ruled out that he was suffering from Alzheimers.

The actor was joined by stars including Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom and Prince William at The Old Vic on Sunday night.