Dame Sheila? I feel slightly miscast!
BORIS Johnson has declared the “outstanding efforts” of those receiving New Year Honours as a “reminder of the strength of human spirit and of what can be achieved through courage and compassion”.
The Prime Minister said stories of community volunteers, sports stars and TV personalities are “an inspiration” to us all.
The Prime Minister added: “The 2021 New Year Honours offer us an opportunity to salute their dedication and recognise many who have gone above and beyond in their contribution to our country.
“As we begin a new year and continue to come together to fight this virus, may their service and stories be an inspiration to us all.”
Actress Sheila Hancock, who made her name on stage before becoming an iconic TV and radio star, receives a damehood.
She joked she felt “slightly miscast”. Sheila added: “I’ve never felt myself this sort of person. It just doesn’t happen to people like me. I feel I may be lowering the tone.”
Other film and TV stars honoured include former EastEnders actress Nina Wadia and Coronation Street stalwart Sally Dynevor.
Wadia, who rose to fame in the sketch show
Goodness
Gracious Me, is made an
OBE, while
Dynevor, who has played Sally
Webster on the soap since 1986, becomes an
MBE.
Phantom
Thread actress and Oscar nominee Lesley Manville is made a CBE for services to drama and charity, and actor Toby Jones becomes an OBE.
Behind the camera, multi- award winning cinematographer Roger Deakins is knighted in the overseas’ list. British- born but now based in California, he won one of two Oscars for First World War film 1917.
Screenwriter and producer Jed Mercurio, whose TV hits include Line Of Duty and Bodyguard, is made an OBE.
From the fashion world, Pat McGrath – dubbed the “most influential make- up artist in the world” by Vogue – becomes a Dame for services to her industry and diversity. She has worked for designers including Giorgio Armani, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano and was included in Time’s 100 most influential people list in 2019.
British conductor Professor Jane Glover, 71, musical director of Music of the Baroque since 2002 was given a CBE.
HEROES of Britain are celebrated in the New Year’s honours. Formula One legend Sir Lewis Hamilton will prove himself a knight to remember and Dame Sheila Hancock will doubtless continue to entertain and enchant audiences.
It is especially heartwarming that so many frontline workers are honoured for their unflinching commitment in the fight against Covid- 19. The whole nation is honoured to live in the same land as these brilliant people of care and courage.