Jeremy Clarkson has recalled a mortifying encounter with Sir Patrick Stewart during a 2003 Top Gear appearance, sharing the memory in a tribute after the actor's death on Friday, October 30, at the age of 86 following a private battle with Alzheimer's.
The Clarkson's Farm star took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to reflect on the moment Stewart joined Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May on the show for the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.
Mistaken for a delivery driver
Clarkson, 66, wrote: "Patrick Stewart. Turned up so early and so unobtrusively to be a star in a reasonably priced car, we mistook him for a delivery driver and asked him to go round the back."
He continued: "Took his hat off and said, 'But I'm the captain of the Enterprise'. F***ing nice guy."
Fans watched Stewart drive a Suzuki Liana around the Dunsfold Aerodrome test track, recording a lap time of 1 minute and 50 seconds.
Fans share fond memories
Viewers flocked to the comments to thank Clarkson and share their own memories of the actor. One user wrote: "This is why we have the internet, for just some awesome stories like this. This is good internet."
Another echoed: "Thank you, Jeremy Clarkson. We're going into the weekend a little sad, yet happy knowing that Sir Patrick Stewart was a humble man. You're blessed to have interviewed him."
A third added: "He was such a class act after his drive too. I'll always love that line when you said, 'You're probably the biggest star we've ever had on this show'. His response? 'This must be a terrible show then!' RIP."
Stewart's death was confirmed by his spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, who said: "He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all."
She added: "We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincibility." She also revealed that he died in the care of his wife, Sunny.
Although he had been working since 1959 and was known in classical theatre in the UK for decades, Stewart found US fame in 1987 when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He played the character for 36 years across seven seasons, four feature films and three seasons of his spin-off show Picard, which ran from 2020 to 2023. He also starred as Professor X in the X-Men films.
