Actor Ian McKellan is so offended by what he regards as the Bible's anti-gay stance, he makes a point of ripping out the relevant page every time he stays in a hotel room.

The openly homosexual actor, a longtime campaigner for gay rights, accepts he should not vandalise the Bible, but finds it difficult to contain his outrage at the contents of Leviticus 20:13 when he spots the holy book in hotels.

"It's the one thing I find difficult to defend but do go on doing," he said.

The Leviticus 20:13 passage reads: "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them."

The Leviticus 20:13 passage reads: "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them."