Patrick Stewart had a decades-long friendship with Paul McCartney and it began when the Beatle gifted him an Aston Martin in the most casual way

The late, great Sir Patrick Stewart has shared the brilliant story of how he first crossed paths with Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, and it involved a set of Aston Martin keys.

The unlikely friendship began in 1964, when Stewart still dreamed of owning an Aston Martin.

Little did he know that a chance connection through McCartney’s then-girlfriend would lead to one of the most memorable surprises of his life.

And it all started with a knock at his door.

Patrick Stewart was dreaming of owning an Aston Martin when Paul McCartney found out

Speaking during an interview with Graham Norton, the now sadly late Star Trek celebrity recalled how he had a “very slender relationship” with McCartney, but one that had lasted for decades.

It all began in 1964, when Stewart was driving what he described as a battered old Ford.

Although he couldn’t afford one at the time, he had always dreamed of owning an Aston Martin.

McCartney was dating actress Jane Asher, who happened to know about Stewart’s love for the British luxury car brand.

After she mentioned it to the Beatles star, McCartney decided to do something rather unexpected.

The Beatles star turned up at Patrick Stewart’s door and handed him the keys

Stewart recalled that one evening, while he was at home, there was a knock at his door.

He answered with a casual invitation to come in, only to discover that the visitor was none other than Paul McCartney.

As Stewart told the story, McCartney explained that Jane had mentioned his love of Aston Martins before tossing him a bunch of keys.

“Jane says that you like Aston Martins. Here, drive this,” McCartney reportedly told him.

Paul, with Martha in his Aston Martin DB6, writing ‘Two of Us’.
by u/David-Lincoln in beatles

And just like that, Stewart was handed the opportunity to get behind the wheel of his dream car.

The actor also shared one particularly funny detail about the unexpected encounter: he was standing there in his underwear when McCartney appeared at his door.

It’s certainly one way to meet a member of the most famous band in the world, and also it began a lifelong appreciation for beautiful cars.

The pair reunited decades later alongside another Beatles legend

Fast-forward several decades and Stewart found himself at the incredibly exclusive Tower Bar restaurant in Los Angeles.

He was enjoying dinner with three other people when McCartney walked into the restaurant around 15 minutes later.

Stewart spotted the musician, stood up and greeted him with a big hug, with the pair chatting for around five or six minutes.

But the evening wasn’t finished delivering surprises.

Around five minutes later, another familiar face walked through the restaurant doors: Sir Ringo Starr.

Stewart explained that when he eventually got up to leave, McCartney stood to say goodbye and gave him another hug.

He then leaned in and asked Stewart if he knew Ringo.

Although Stewart had never met the drummer, McCartney immediately took him over to make the introduction.

With all three men knighted, McCartney couldn’t resist making a joke about the rather unusual gathering.

“Sir Ringo, Sir Patrick, Sir Paul,” he said, before adding: “Hey, we’ve got the Knights of the Round Table.”

A pretty extraordinary dinner party, especially considering the friendship that started with a simple set of Aston Martin keys back in 1964.