SIR Ian McKellen has delighted fans with a snippet of his latest film Mr Holmes.

The former Bolton School pupil posted a clip to the forthcoming release on his Facebook page yesterday and has already received more than 35,000 likes.

The movie is based on Mitch Cullin's novel entitled A Slight Trick of the Mind and follows the retired 93-year-old detective as he retreats to his farmhouse and revisits the case that made him give up his detective work.

Laura Linney stars as Mr Holmes' housekeeper, alongside Hattie Morahan, Patrick Kennedy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Roger Allam, Colin Starkey and Philip Davis.

His Facebook post said: "First Glimpse! A short clip from my upcoming feature film Mr Holmes directed by Bill Condon.

"I am the intrepid detective Sherlock Holmes and here's the twist: I'm 93 years old and working on my final case in consultation with a young confidant, Roger (played by Milo Parker.)

"Note: it's just a clip—not the proper trailer that will soon be ready."

Mr Holmes will have its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival this year but has yet to set a release date.