Kristin joins the growing cast of thespian dames
SHE has often spoken of how women become invisible when they reach their fifties.
But Four Weddings and a Funeral actress Kristin Scott Thomas, 54, leads a charge of older women today as she is made a dame in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Other actresses recognised are Joan Collins, 81, Meera Syal, 53, and Emily Watson, 47, and other notable women on the list include Esther Rantzen, 74, legendary 1960s fashion designer Mary Quant, 80, and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, 59.
Former TV presenter Miss Rantzen, becomes a dame for her charity work. The That’s Life! star founded ChildLine in 1986 after highlighting the problem of child abuse on t he BBC show and being deluged with c al l s from victims.
More recently she launched The Silver Line for lonely pensioners.
She said yesterday her ‘greatest wish’ was that her husband Desmond Wilcox had lived to see her chosen for the honour. Mr Wilcox, a documentary maker, died in 2000.
‘I am thrilled that this honour recognises the contribution made by ChildLine and The Silver Line in transforming lives,’ she said, adding that Mr Wilcox would have been ‘so excited’.
Miss Quant, who made the miniskirt a fashion essential and later popularised hot pants, has also been made a dame. She said yesterday: ‘I am absolutely delighted … It is extremely gratifying that my work in the fashion industry has been recognised and acknowledged in such a significant way.’
Miss Collins is made a dame for her services to charity. She said: ‘It is humbling to receive this level of recognition from my Queen and country, and I am thrilled and truly grateful.’ In 2006, the actress played down her chances of the honour, saying: ‘I wouldn’t get one. I don’t have the body of work of Judi Dench and Diana Rigg.’
Actress, author and comedian Miss Syal, who starred in Goodness Gracious Me, is made a CBE for her services to drama and literature. Fellow actress Miss Watson – who won a Bafta for Appropriate Adult, ITV1’s dramatisation of the investigation into serial killer Fred West – is appointed an OBE. Yesterday, she said: ‘I was quietly smiling to myself all day when I heard.’
Among younger performers, Sheridan Smith, 33, who recently starred in ITV drama Cilla, and has won a Bafta and two Olivier Awards, is made an OBE for services to TV. She said: ‘I’m sincerely thankful and humbled … and hope to continue doing the work that I love for many years to come.’
Her former boyfriend James Corden, 36, with whom she starred in sitcom Gavin and Stacey, also becomes an OBE for services to entertainment and charity. The actor, writer and soon-tobe US chat show host said he was ‘thrilled, overwhelmed and honoured’.
Actor John Hurt, 74, who starred in The Elephant Man, has been made a knight to mark a stage and film career that has spanned more than 50 years.
Miss Duffy becomes a dame and said she was ‘ delighted’ that poetry was recognised in the honours list.