In her enjoyable reminiscences of Patrick Stewart, Marina Sirtis says: “The fact that he supported Huddersfield Town shows you who he is – he didn’t go for Leeds or one of the glamour clubs” (‘We freed Patrick Stewart!’ Star Trek’s Marina Sirtis on breaking in her beloved but very serious co-star, 31 October). Patrick started supporting Huddersfield in 1947. At that time Leeds United (my team) had never won a major trophy, while Huddersfield had won the FA Cup in 1922 and the First Division in 1924, 1925 and 1926 – they were the West Riding’s biggest team.
Also, Patrick lived in Mirfield, roughly five miles from Huddersfield but 10 miles from Leeds. In those days, when public transport was the main mode of conveyance to football matches and money was tight, it is only natural that he supported Huddersfield.
Jon Hughes
Woolley, West Yorkshire
Michael Billington provides a lovely list of Patrick Stewart’s roles (‘Virile star power’: Patrick Stewart’s greatest stage roles, from clowns to kings to wounded lions, 30 October). But it would be good to add Stewart’s superlative Scrooge in the 1999 film of A Christmas Carol. His conversion from vicious miser to genial old benefactor is totally real and believable – and a perfect watch for this time of year (with a great Bob Cratchit by Richard E Grant).
Alexandra Shepherd
Aberdeen
I was so sorry to hear of the death of the wonderful actor (and gentleman) Sir Patrick Stewart. Your obituary (30 October) covers an extensive and glittering career but omits what could be considered his greatest role as the CIA director Avery Bullock in American Dad. Come on – did Shakespeare ever write him a line as good as “Hand me the anal tarring brush”?
Gerry Rees
Worcester
When the Barbican Centre opened in 1982, Trevor Nunn chose Henry IV parts I & II as the inaugural production and cast Patrick Stewart in the title role. This surprised many, as the role seemed quite small for an actor of his calibre. The reason given was that King Henry has the opening lines, and Trevor Nunn wanted Stewart’s voice to be the first one heard from the new stage. Praise indeed.
Stan Broadwell
Bristol
