"One of the reasons that the Theatre Royal is last on the tour before London is that the actors can get the boost they need from the warmth of the North East." And it was party down to Sir Ian’s love for region that the decision was taken to make the theatre the Royal Shakespeare Company’s second home.

Richard Berg Rust, director of development at the Theatre Royal, said: "In 1976, Sir Ian was the RSC’s leading man, and the then director asked him for his opinion on which city they should choose as their base outside London.

"He put forward a strong case for Newcastle, and part of that decision was his high regard for the Theatre Royal, and Newcastle as a theatre city.

"The cultural renaissance of Newcastle began with that choice, in which Sir Ian was instrumental."

The actor also applauded the Theatre Royal’s educational work. A £7.2m development in 2006-2007 which added a new wing included a learning centre focused on providing opportunities for youngsters.

"We try to extend opportunities to children who don’t have the collected works of Shakespeare on their bookshelf," Mr Berg Rust explained.

Andrew Dixon, chief executive of the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said that Sir Ian showed a real interest in the work that was taking place. "What really came across was his enormous passion for both Newcastle and the Theatre Royal," he said.

"He spoke of feeling at home in the city."

Chris Jobe, a trustee of the Northern Rock Foundation, added: "It’s a huge boost for culture in Newcastle to have people like Sir Ian and Patrick Stewart appearing here.

"They were both very keen to take theatre to the regions, which must come in part from them being northerners themselves. They have lived up here, and they know that the world doesn’t begin and end with London."