Yorkshire will forever be proud of Sir Patrick Stewart, as he was of his roots
Sir Partick Steward came to embody everything that is good about the folk who live in Yorkshire. Despite his success on stage and in Hollywood, Sir Patrick never lost touch with his roots.
His affinity for God’s Own Country would shine as brightly as his star did in film, television and theatre.
Above all, Mirfield-born Sir Patrick was a reminder to the millions of people who call Yorkshire home that they don’t have to give up on their dreams and that talent coupled with perseverance can pay off.
The death of Sir Patrick at the age of 86 has saddened many across the world. The tributes that have poured in from across the acting world are a reflection of the man that he was away from acting.
The fact that very few people had anything negative to say about Sir Patrick was a reflection of his beloved nature.
His good friend and X-Men co-star Sir Ian McKellen said Sir Patrick was "defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire".
"You could hear it in his accented voice and in the stern honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt,” he added. “Yorkshiremen have no truck with half-truths or avoidance of big issues."
There can be no better tribute than that to Sir Patrick. And despite his success on screen and on stage, the fact that Sir Patrick viewed his appointment as chancellor of Huddersfield University as his greatest achievement shows that while he may have moved to the states, Yorkshire never left him.
His fellow actors, fans and the good folk of Yorkshire are going to miss a mighty fine actor, an incredibly humorous character and brilliantly warm individual.