Idris Elba and Torvill & Dean receive honours from the King
The actor has received a knighthood today alongside ice skating duo Torvill and Dean
Actor Sir Idris Elba and Olympic skating champions Torvill and Dean have been awarded honours from His Majesty the King at Windsor Castle this morning.
The 53-year-old was awarded a knighthood for services to young people.
In 2022, Luther star Sir Idris founded the Elba Hope Foundation to support community empowerment, education, youth advocacy and sustainable development.
At age 18, the actor used a grant from the Prince’s Trust – now the King’s Trust – to attend the National Youth Music Theatre. He's previously credited the grant as a 'pivotal moment'.
Sir Idris and King Charles have teamed up to make a documentary marking 50 years since the charity was founded. It's due to air on Netflix this autumn.
Who else has been honoured?
68 people have been awarded at Windsor Castle, including comedians Dame Meera Syal and Paul Elliott, of Chuckle Brothers fame,
Olympic champions Dame Jayne and Sir Christopher were awarded both for services to ice skating and to voluntary service.
The iconic ice dancers, recognised as the faces of Dancing On Ice, took home gold in 1984 for their “Bolero” performance at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics.
Dame Jayne said the timing was “perfect” as the pair had danced on the ice for the final time last year.
“It was a big thing for us to mark our career before retirement" she continued. "Receiving this award at the end of the year, it’s just finished everything. It’s perfect.”
Dame Meera Syal was also recognised by the King. Her damehood was given for services to literature, drama and charity.
The 64-year-old got her big break writing and starring in the BBC sketch show Goodness Gracious Me.
In 2023, she was awarded the Bafta Fellowship, the academy’s highest accolade for a career on screen.
Chuckle Brother Paul Elliott, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to charity.
Paul and his brother Barry starred as a dynamic duo on their TV show Chucklevision before Barry died in 2018.
Marie Curie nurses provided end-of-life care for Barry, with Paul praising the “incredible care and kindness” they showed to his brother. He has since become an ambassador for the charity.
Hear the latest news on Downtown Country on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.