X-MEN actor Patrick Stewart may soon count his celluloid arch-enemy as a neighbour.

Stewart, 63, who plays heroic mutant leader Professor Xavier in the blockbuster X-Men films, is looking for a home in Limehouse, London.

The move would put the Mirfield-born star within a short distance of Sir Ian McKellen, who played Xavier's bitter foe, Magneto, in X-Men and X-2.

Stewart, who also played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, beamed down to Limehouse to view a luxury £1m penthouse at Victoria Wharf.

Although he has yet to make a decision, it is understood Stewart was very taken with the three-bedroom flat overlooking the exclusive Limehouse Marina.

The actor recently made a permanent move back to Britain after spending almost two decades in Hollywood, where he achieved fame for playing Jean-Luc Picard on TV and the big screen.

Stewart is due to appear on the Parkinson chat show at 9.40pm on BBC1 tomorrow.

He became Huddersfield University's Chancellor last year and has promised to visit the town soon.