The King’s Birthday Honours list for 2026 has been announced, and as usual there are a number of figures from the world of entertainment who have been recognised, including an Emmerdale icon and the author of the Grace novels.
At the top of the list, MobLand star Dame Helen Mirren has been made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, for services to Drama.
Meanwhile, two well-known and beloved authors, Noughts & Crosses writer Malorie Blackman, who is already an OBE, and The Scarecrow’s Wedding writer Julia Donaldson, who is already a CBE, have been made Dames, for services to Literature.
Film composer Patrick Doyle, who most recently was behind the score for 2022 film Death on the Nile, has been made a CBE for services to film.
A number of prominent entertainment figures have been made an OBE in this year’s list, including Rocketman director and actor Dexter Fletcher, for services to Film and Television, and Grace author Peter James, for services to Literature and to Charity.
Also made an OBE are Janette Luca Director of Public Affairs, ITV for services to Broadcasting and Television, and musician and broadcaster Cerys Matthews, who was already an MBE, for services to music.
Being made an MBE is David Holmes, the author and broadcaster who was formerly a stuntman, but had an accident while rehearsing a stunt sequence for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, and was left permanently paralysed from the chest down.
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A documentary was made in 2023 about his accident and friendship with Daniel Radcliffe, titled David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived, and now he has been made an MBE for services to Film, Media and to Charity.
Emmerdale legend Lisa Riley has also been made an MBE for services to Drama and to Charity, while Challenge Anneka broadcaster Anneka Rice has been made an MBE for services to Charity and to Broadcasting.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
