Boldly growing: William Shatner reveals his expanding waistline on the beach Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1237637/Boldly-g

As the slimline Captain Kirk he swashbuckled his way across the universe aboard the starship Enterprise.

Now, however, it seems that it's only William Shatner's waistline that has a warp factor.

The Star Trek actor looked decidedly rotund as he strolled along the beach in a large pair of red swim shorts.

The waistband cannae take it, Captain: William Shatner, 78, and his wife Elizabeth soak up the sun in Hawaii

He was pictured on holiday in Maui, Hawaii, with his fourth wife Elizabeth Martin, whom he married in 2001.

His portly physique is a far cry from his frame from the Star Trek films and television series, which he starred in from 1965 to 1991.

Twenty years after he made the final film in the franchise, Shatner could not look less like a Hollywood icon.

Mind you, at 78 perhaps it's no surprise that Shatner has not been able to Klingon to the slender figure he had when he made his name in the popular science-fiction show.

Earlier this year he joked about his size in an interview with the American GQ magazine.

Heavy enterprise: Shatner lets it all hang out as he holidays with his wife

He said: ‘I am trying to get to the perfect body - not just for a man of my age, but the perfect body. One of my quests: to get the six-pack. I’ve got a twelve-pack.’

Earlier this year Shatner was criticised for his behaviour on an American talk show after he made rude hand gestures at the host.

Red-faced and visibly sweating the actor appeared out of sorts on the long-running Tonight Show.

His behaviour got so bad at one point new host Conan O'Brien walked off stage before shouting: 'What is wrong with you’

The star mimed masturbation and flicked the finger at host Conan during the interview.

Shatner's fuller figure is a far cry from his slimline look as Captain Kirk

Angry network bosses were forced to blur out his gestures in the broadcast.

He also appeared erratic when he was interviewed by Jonathan Ross on his Friday night chat show.

Shatner recently admitted he was annoyed to be left out of the Star Trek prequel which was a hit this year.

His former TV co-star Leonard Nimoy featured in a scene in which the old Spock comes from the future to visit his younger self.

Director JJ Abrams originally said he hoped to find a cameo for Shatner, but didn't want the script to 'shove him in because that would be a disaster'.

Shatner said in an interview: 'I couldn't believe it. I'm not in the movie at all. Leonard, God bless his heart, is in, but not me.

'I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn't seem to be a wise business decision.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1237637/Boldly-growing-William-Shatner-reveals-expanding-waistline-beach.html#ixzz0aa0KjbVC