At 84, Vanessa f inally decides there’s nothing like a damehood
‘Had turned down honour’
SHE is a lifelong socialist and turned down a damehood in 1999 as she objected to any honour linked to the ‘British Empire’.
But Vanessa Redgrave appears to have overcome her qualms as she today accepts the award in the New Year Honours List.
Regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, the 84-year-old has become Dame Vanessa in recognition of her services to drama.
Other actors honoured today include former Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley, who has also been made a dame.
Dame Vanessa, who won an Oscar for her role in the 1977 film Julia, was previously honoured in 1967 when she was given a CBE. Questioned about reports that she had turned down a damehood, she said in 2002: ‘My difficulty is in receiving anything that says British Empire because I am a Unicef special representative at the service of children from any country. If there were no mention of the British Empire, I would be as honoured as anybody. ’
At a press conference at the Venice Film Festival in 2018, the actress claimed that she had declined the damehood in protest at the Iraq War and former prime minister Tony Blair.
But the Iraq War did not start until 2003. Dame Vanessa said at the time that she would ‘never say I refused an honour from the Queen’. But she added: ‘But I could not and would not accept any honour from Mr Blair, when he has taken our country, and so many people, to war on the basis of a lie.’
Dame Joanna, 75, who was awarded an OBE in 1995, has been honoured for her services to drama, entertainment and charitable causes. She said: ‘I am astonished and thrilled and touched beyond words...’
The actress, known for roles in The New Avengers and as the boozy Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, has also made a name for herself fighting for the rights of Gurkhas to settle in the UK.
Meanwhile, actor Daniel Craig, 53, whose final film as 007, No Time to Die, was released this autumn, was given the rare honour of being made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) – the same award given to Bond in Ian Fleming’s novels. A CMG is normally given to those who have performed extraordinary services abroad.
The movies’ producer, Barbara Broccoli, 61, was awarded a CBE for services to film, as was her half-brother, Bond producer and scriptwriter Michael Wilson, 79.
There were also CBEs for film director Paul Greengrass, 66, who created the rival Jason Bourne movies, and author Anthony Horowitz, also 66, who has written three Bond novels. Other stars to be recognised include newsreader Moira Stuart, who has been given a CBE.
Sir Elton John’s lyricist, Bernie Taupin, 71, was also awarded a CBE in the overseas and international list for his work in music. Coronation Street’s William Roache, 89, who appeared in the show’s very first episode as Ken Barlow in December 1960, has been awarded an OBE for his services to drama and charity. Cherylee Houston, 47, who played wheelchair user Izzy Armstrong in the soap, has been given an MBE for her work in drama and for people with disabilities.
Former EastEnders stars June Brown, 94, who played Dot Cotton, and Nitin Ganatra, 54, who appeared as Masood Ahmed, were both given OBEs.
Elsewhere, Melanie Brown, 46, of the Spice Girls, better known as Mel B, has been made an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women’s Aid.
Film director John Boorman, 88, whose movies include 1967’s Point Blank, is knighted, while Alistair Spalding, 64, boss of Sadler’s Wells Theatre, has also received one for his work in dance. Ashley Banjo, 33, of Britain’s Got Talent-winning dance troupe Diversity, was also awarded an MBE for services to dance.
Television presenter Katie Piper, 38, who survived an acid attack in 2008 and went on to found The Katie Piper Foundation, is awarded an OBE for her services to charity and victims of disfigurement injuries.
Australian comedian Adam Hills, 51, who hosts Channel 4’s The Last Leg, is made an MBE for services to Paralympic sport and disability awareness.
And Pauline Black, 68, lead singer of two-tone band The Selecter, has been made an OBE for services to entertainment.