The Mirfield-born star, who said his academic qualifications were "meagre", accepted the honour at a degree ceremony in Huddersfield town hall.

He was then asked to confer an honorary degree on Cecil Dormand, his English teacher at Mirfield Modern School.

"Cecil first pointed me towards the stage and hinted I should think of a professional career," said Mr Stewart.

New building

He also conferred an honorary degree on Huddersfield-born Royal Shakespeare Company actor and producer Gregory Doran.

On Tuesday, Mr Stewart will open a new building at Barnsley College, which has links with the University of Huddersfield, before unveiling a bust of actor James Mason, who also came from Huddersfield, at the town's Lawrence Batley Theatre.

Mr Stewart played Captain Jean Luc Picard for seven years in the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series, a role a reprised for four Star Trek films.

He has also starred as Professor Xavier in two X-Men films.