Two literary giants are popular contenders to fill the shoes of a Hollywood legend in Huddersfield.

Poet Simon Armitage and novelist Joanne Harris are among many names suggested to replace Sir Patrick Stewart as Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield.

And their names, along with many other suggested by University staff and students, will be considered by University chiefs in the coming months.

Armitage, of Honley, and Harris, of Almondbury, emerged as leading contenders in a poll of Examiner readers.

Between them they had more than 65% of the votes cast on the Examiner website. Other names put forward include actress Lena Headey, cyclist Ed Clancy, former soccer star Andy Booth and local businessman Lawrence Tomlinson.

Sir Patrick has held the prestigious post for a decade but will step down after this summer’s awards at the campus.

He has helped grow the University’s profile on a global scale and has been acknowledged as a hard act to follow.

Prof Bob Cryan, the University’s Vice Chancellor, said: ”We have been proud and privileged to have had him as our Chancellor for so many years and, in due course, we will be organising an event to mark his enormous contribution to the University. We will not be losing touch with Sir Patrick as he has agreed to become Emeritus Chancellor, and to keep flying the flag for Huddersfield.

“I have asked staff and students for their help in the search for a successor to Sir Patrick. We will then compile a shortlist of suggestions for consideration by the University Council’s Governance and Membership Committee with the Students’ Union President”.

The Chancellor acts as titular head of the University and presides at award ceremonies and other official occasions. The Chancellor also acts as an ambassador for the University and qualities required include existing links with the University and the local area; an ability to promote the University and someone who inspires others.

Chancellors at other universities include prominent business leaders, members of the Royal family or people from the arts and film world.

They include the Princess Royal, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Westminster, fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, comedian Dawn French and TV presenter Gabby Logan.

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Who should take over from Sir Patrick Stewart as Huddersfield University chancellor?