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Sir Patrick Stewart has revealed he's not drawn to any of the Labour leadership contenders - because he'd rather vote for Ed Miliband.

The Star Trek and X-Men star said the ex-leader 'made some mistakes' but he 'did some terrific things' and should've stuck it out.

It's a view that's been expressed by almost no one since Mr Miliband resigned on May 8, just hours after an election bloodbath.

Today he was paid tributes from all sides as he made his first speech from the Commons back benches, revealing his sons tell him he 'used to be famous'.

Sir Patrick, a long-time Labour supporter, made his comments during an interview about stopping Tory plans to replace the Human Rights Act.

He told the BBC's Newsnight: "I am not drawn to any of the candidates presently.

"I'll tell you exactly what I think should've happened. I think Ed should still be there.

"I think if he did some terrific things and he made some mistakes but I think the biggest mistake he made was resigning and walking out on the party."

It's not clear yet if he'll support the leadership bid of campaigning left-winger Jeremy Corbyn, who announced his candidacy just hours after the interview.

Sir Patrick also said it was 'absurd' to deny prisoners the right to vote, a policy that's been challenged in the European Court of Human Rights.

(Image: PA)

"Of course prisoners should have a right to vote!" he said. "It's absurd that they should be denied that.

"They're taking their punishment. Next you'll be saying they can't have a newspaper or a book or write anything, and you know where that will end."

But Sir Patrick, who is close friends with fellow actor and gay rights campaigner Sir Ian McKellen, objected to the fine for a bakery firm which refused to bake a pro-gay cake.

"It's not because it's a gay couple they rejected," he said.

"It was the actual words on the cake that they objected to, because they found them offensive."