Picard: Whoopi Goldberg in tears after Patrick Stewart asks her to reprise Star Trek role live on air

Whoopi Goldberg was left visibly emotional after Patrick Stewart asked her to reprise her famous Star Trek role in the second season of Picard.

Goldberg starred alongside Stewart in 26 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1988 to 1993.

She played the El-Aurian bartender, Guinan.

Stewart, who appeared on The View – which Goldberg co-hosts – to promote new series Star Trek: Picard, unexpectedly dropped the news that senior executive producer Alex Kurtzman wanted the Sister Act star to appear in the second season.

“I’m here with a formal invitation, and it’s for you, Whoopi,” Stewart said. “Alex Kurtzman and all his colleagues – of which I am one – want to invite you into the second season.”

Goldberg smiled as the crowd and her fellow View hosts applauded the news.

“I’ve said this on the show before, but Star Trek was one of the great experiences, from the beginning to the end,” Goldberg said, embracing Stewart. She added: “I had the best, best, best time ever.”

Stewart, 79, said: “I can’t wait to have you with us again one more time.”

Star Trek: Picard will be available to stream in the UK on Amazon Prime Video from 24 January. First reviews are praising Stewart's "freight train" performance as the captain who hasn't been seen on-screen sicne 2002.

The new series will see the return of two characters familiar to Trek fans of old.

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