The annual Queen's Birthday Honours List has been announced and two of the people on it are long time veterans of Coronation Street (and what took HM so long, I ask?) while one is a former Coronation Street actor. Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) and Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan) have been awarded an MBE as has Anne Reid (Valerie Barlow). Ms. Knox has expressed delight and gratitude as has Ms. Derbyshire who also extended her thanks to her fellow coworkers and crew. In this, the 50th anniversary year of Corrie, it's nice to see the remaining two most senior cast members (after William Roache) awarded. Betty Driver and William Roache are the other two current Coronation Street cast members with an MBE to their name. Other past cast members who have been similarly honoured include Roy Baraclough (Alec Gilroy), Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch), Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth), Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin), Jack Howarth (Albert Tatlock), William Roache (Ken Barlow), Tony Warren (writer and creator of the show), all of whom have an MBE. The OBE has been awarded to Violet Carson (Ena Sharples), Bryan Mosley (Alf Roberts - who also had an OBE awarded, incidentally. I wonder if that's a record?) and Doris Speed (Annie Walker).
About time these two great women got something for their work. I wonder if it wasn't the 50th anniversary of Corrie, they would've had recognition? At least someone recognises their contribution, in contrast to many soap and TV awards.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all three women. Wouldn't it be nice if Eileen Deryshire could break her lifetime rule and actually give a brief interview for the fans. I'd love to her her speak as herself just once.
ReplyDeleteThey do get something for their work - absurdly high salaries.
ReplyDeleteWell I thought it made sense they got an MBE. After all, they are soap royalty.
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