Researching for this post, I came to the conclusion that over thirty people associated with Coronation Street have received an honour from Her Majesty the Queen, be it an MBE, OBE or CBE.
The earliest to receive an honour was Doris Hare who received an MBE by George VI back in 1943. Known to play Martha Longhurst in the dry runs of Corrie in 1960 and who turned down the role of Ena Sharples, she then went on to play Albert Tatlock’s fiancée Alice Pickens between 1968 and 1969.
Over the years, regular members of the cast have received their share of honours:
Violet Carson (Ena Sharples) – OBE in 1965
Doris Speed (Annie Walker) – MBE in 1977
Jack Howarth (Albert Tatlock) – MBE in 1983
Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch) – MBE in 1996
Betty Driver (Betty Turpin) – MBE in 1999
Elizabeth Dawn (Vera Duckworth) – MBE in 2000
Bill Kenwright (Gordon Clegg) – CBE in 2000
William Roache (Ken Barlow) – MBE in 2001
Stephanie Cole (Sylvia Goodwin) – OBE in 2005
Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin) – MBE in 2006
Roy Barraclough (Alec Gilroy) – MBE in 2006
Anne Reid (Valerie Barlow) – MBE in 2010
Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan) – MBE in 2010
Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) – MBE in 2010
Corrie’s creator Tony Warren received and MBE in 1976 while one of the soap’s most prolific writers Jack Rosenthal received a CBE in 1994.
Famous faces who’ve appeared on the cobbles and who’ve received honours include Ian McKellen, Ben Kingsley, Patrick Stewart, Prunella Scales, June Brown, Patricia Routledge, Beryl Bainbridge, Norman Wisdom and Joanna Lumley.
Grocer, councillor and mayor Alf Roberts received an OBE by the Queen in 1995 and travelled down to London in Don Brennan’s taxi along with wife Audrey with hilarious consequences. The end of the story was that Audrey missed out on visiting the Palace with Alf and it was in fact his mayoress Betty Turpin that accompanied him, much to Audrey’s chagrin!
Are there any other Corrie stars that deserve an honour by the Queen? Thelma Barlow? Jean Alexander?
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Superb research!
ReplyDeleteIts a shame the likes of Pat Phoenix and Bryan Mosley, didn't receive anything
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised Jean Alexander didn't get one
ReplyDeleteIt's all about politicians wanting to ally themselves with popular performers - as are sports "honours".
ReplyDeleteI have no idea why people who pretend to be other people for a living should be honoured any more frequently than people who look after the sick and dying, or give important - and voluntary - community service. Very unfair.
Mavis - I don't think they get the awards for being actors as such. It's more for charity work.
ReplyDeleteBryan Mosley did get the OBE.