Patrick Stewart dies

The actor Patrick Stewart, famous for his work on both stage and screen, has died at the age of 86. He had been afflicted by an aggressive form of Alzheimer's disease and lewy body dementia.

A member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stewart built his career on the stage, but became best known worldwide for his performance as Starfleet Captain Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek, and as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-men films. He had a pivotal role as the knight Leondegrance in Excalibur, played Gurney Halleck in David Lynch's version of Dune, and delivered a chilling turn as a neo-Nazi in Green Room.

He also lent his distinctive voice to audiobooks, including Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and CS Lewis' The Last Battle. He wrote and recorded a memoir, Making It So.

Actively involved in politics throughout his life, he was a member of the Labour Party,and campaigned for Scotland to remain the UK and for the UK to remain in the EU. He was also a strong supported of legalising assisted dying.

Stewart died at his home in Los Angeles. He is survived by his two children, Daniel and Sophia. His family has asked that donations in his memory by made to Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources.