Conspiracy Theory (Tuesday C5), Masterminds (Sunday C5), Star Trek: Insurrection (Saturday Sky Prem Widescreen), The Prince of Egypt (Monday Sky Premiere Thursday Sky Prem Widescreen), X-Men (Sky Box Office/Monday-Friday ITV Select/Friday Front Row) and Star Trek: the Next Generation repeats (Wednesdays BBC2, Fridays Sky I) 

Born

The youngest of three brothers, Patrick Stewart was born on 13 July 1940 in Mirfield, near Huddersfield. 

Background

His mother, Gladys, worked in the local mill; his father, Albert, was a regimental sergeant major. His strict upbringing has been described as a mixture of "poverty and violence". 

Wrong turns 

Leaving school at 15, he joined the Dewsbury and District Reporter as a trainee journalist. However, he spent so much time with his local amateur dramatic society that he had to resort to inventing news stories and was fired. 

He was accepted by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 1957, where he not only lost his Yorkshire accent, but also much of his hair. Soon, he was touring the world with the Old Vic Theatre Company. 

Treading the boards

In 1966, he began a long association with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and played many of the great classical roles. 

TV

He developed into a dependable small-screen support, notably as Sejanus in I, Claudius (1976), and spy chief Karla in Tinker, Tailor; Soldier, Spy (1979) and Smiley's People (1982). 

Moving into movies

His early film career was largely limited to character roles in films as varied as Excalibur (1981), Dune (1984) and Lady Jane (1986). 

Cult status

However, his big break came in 1987 when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: the Next Generation. He was so convinced he would be dropped that he didn't unpack his suitcases for six weeks after arriving in LA. It's reported he'll receive $14 million to reprise the role in next year's Star Trek X movie. 

What they say

"To baldly go where no man has gone before." -his daughter's comment on learning he'd been cast as the captain of the USS Enterprise.

In addition to The Prince of Egypt, he's also - contributed voices to The Plague Dogs (1982), The Pagemaster (1994) and the forthcoming : Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. 

Awards

Although he won New York Drama Desk and: Olivier awards for A Christmas Carol (1992-4) and collected an OBE in July this year, what - could top being voted "Most Bodacious Male'. by the readers of US TV Guide in l993 

Significant others

He has two children, Sophie and Daniel, from- his first marriage with choreographer Sheila Falconer. Last year he wed Star Trek: Voyager producer Wendy Neuss. 

Hobbies

A supporter of Huddersfield Town and a huge fan of Beavis and Butt-head, he is also something of a Gameboy fiend. 

Sidelines

He founded Flying Freehold Productions in 1998 and is on the lookout for projects. 

Yes it's true

While on Broadway last year, he needed police to protect him from a female stalker. 

What he says

"I think my appearance in The Simpsons and an appearance that I did on Sesame Street- in praise of the letter B- were perhaps the two most distinguished bits of work that I've done in the United States." David Parkinson