'Kind and wonderful Sir Patrick was my mentor'

Former Emmerdale actor Gemma Oaten has paid tribute to her "mentor" Sir Patrick Stewart, describing him as a "kind and wonderful man".

Mirfield-born Sir Patrick died on Wednesday aged 86 at his Los Angeles home after "a brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

Hull-born Oaten, who appeared in the British soap as Rachel Breckle between 2011 and 2015, wrote to the Star Trek star while at drama school in 2008 and the pair met on numerous occasions over the years, including backstage chats during Sir Patrick's many theatre performances.

An emotional Oaten told BBC Radio Humberside she was "trying to process" his death.

"It's really hard because he was such a massive part of my life," she said.

She added that their friendship "really got me through so much".

"He became a mentor for me, he gave me advice.

"He was always there for me and he was always willing to give and I just know him as Patrick the kind and wonderful man."

Yorkshire-born Sir Patrick was a renowned classical theatre actor as well as finding international fame as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films.

He began his career in 1959 when he joined the repertory company at the Lincoln Theatre Royal, making his stage debut in Treasure Island.

The theatre's current stage manager, Ian Marston, said it would have provided a "thorough training".

"As well as performing he also worked backstage," he said.

"The repertory company at the time was really very well thought of.

"Lots of household names began here. We were quite important on the rep scene."

Meanwhile, Grimsby singer Michael Dore, who said he performed the music of British composer Nigel Hess with Sir Patrick a number of times, described him as a "lovely man".

"I was in awe," he said.

"I've been able to work with some great people, but he's a hero. It was very special."

In Hull, visitors to The Deep will be familiar with Sir Patrick's voice.

The aquarium has used him as its narrator since it opened in 2002.

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