Legendary actor Patrick Stewart is ready to be knighted in the New Year's Honours list.

The Queen will hand the gong to the Star Trek actor for his services to drama.

"It's a fantastic accolade for a fantastic actor," the Mirror quoted an observer as saying.

The insider added: "He is a man at the very top of his trade who has mastered both  popular TV and classic roles."

Stewart had to struggle his way up to stardom.

Also, his baldness was initially seen as a worry, but he wore a toupee for auditions and promised "two actors for the price of one".