My Cart - As is traditional at this time of year, the Queen has announced the New Years Honours list, presenting knighthoods, OBEs, MBEs and many other honours to a wide range of individuals for their services to the country. Amongst those honours are many stars of stage, television and cinema, including:
Dame Joan Collins
Although she found fame in Hollywood with iconic roles on American television such as Alexis Carrington in Dynasty, Dame Joan Collins was born in Paddington in London in 1933. She’s been acting for over sixty years, from her feature film debut in 1951 right through to the upcoming Molly Moon. She was awarded an OBE in 1997 for services to the dramatic arts, but is now promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to charity.
Sir John Hurt
Awarded a knighthood for his services to drama, Sir John Hurt has had a similarly lengthy career, stretching from bit-parts on television in the early 1960’s through award-winning film roles in Midnight Express and The Elephant Man right up to modern appearances, such as his role as the War Doctor in the cult hit Dr Who last year. He’s still working hard, with a number of titles in filming or post-production.
Dame Kristin Scott Thomas
Dame Kristin Scott Thomas is perhaps best known for her roles in The English Patient and Four Weddings and a Funeral, but she is also well known for stage roles and performances in French cinema. With a plethora of awards and nominations, including a BAFTA for Four Weddings and an Oscar nomination for The English Patient, she has now been awarded a damehood for her services to drama.
Meera Syal, CBE
Rising to fame with Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42, Meera Syal is a multi-talented actress, comedian, writer, journalist and producer, and one of the best-known British Indian personalities in the country. Her writing credits include the semi-autobiographical novel Anita & Me, which has been included in GCSE and university course syllabuses as well as being made into a film in 2002, which Syal wrote the screenplay for as well as appearing in herself. She has been awarded the CBE for her services to drama and literature.
Sheridan Smith, OBE
Sheridan Smith’s rose to prominence in comedy roles including Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm, however in recent years she has also been able to exercise her talents in more serious roles, such as the recent biopic Cilla. She also has extensive stage experience, and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Legally Blonde in 2011. She has been awarded the OBE for services to drama.
James Corden, OBE
James Corden’s first starring role was as Jamie Rymer in Fat Friends, but his biggest success is arguably Gavin & Stacey; not only did he star as the titular Gavin’s best friend Smithy, but he also co-created and co-wrote the award-winning series. (And yes, that is Sheridan Smith again in the clip above!) He has since had numerous stage, film and television appearances, including Dr Who, One Man Two Guv’nors, and Into The Woods. This year, it was announced that he will take over from Craig Ferguson as the host of American talk show The Late Late Show. He has been awarded an OBE for services to drama.
Emily Watson, OBE
Emily Watson made her screen debut in Lars von Trier’s film Breaking the Waves, for which she received a host of awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination. She went on to further critical acclaim in both television and film roles, winning a BAFTA award for best actress in the ITV television film Appropriate Adult. She has been awarded an OBE for services to drama.
If these awards have piqued your interest in a few of the stars’ earlier roles, why not treat yourself to a few DVDs in the new year sales and indulge in a little catching up? Here at Electronic World we have a great range of discount TVs to give you a fantastically clear view for less – for more information, give us a call on 0121 327 3273 and treat yourself to a new screen for 2015.
