Sir Ian McKellen leads tributes to ‘respected and beloved’ Sir Patrick Stewart

Sir Ian McKellen has led tributes to Sir Patrick Stewart after his death from Alzheimer's disease, calling him "the most respected and beloved actor of his generation".

Sir Patrick – famed for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in The Star Trek: The Next Generation – died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday at the age of 86, it was announced on social media.

Sir Ian, who held a long friendship with Sir Patrick, said the actor "was defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire".