Luther star Idris Elba is set to be knighted by the King at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, alongside ice dancing champions Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean. The ceremony will honour 68 individuals, including comedians Dame Meera Syal and Paul Elliott of the Chuckle Brothers.
Sir Idris Elba's Knighthood
The 53-year-old actor, known for his role in Luther, was awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours for his services to young people. In 2022, he founded the Elba Hope Foundation, which focuses on community empowerment, education, youth advocacy, and sustainable development. Elba previously benefited from a grant from the Prince's Trust—now the King's Trust—to attend the National Youth Music Theatre at age 18. Last year, it was announced that he would collaborate with the King on a documentary marking 50 years since Charles founded the charity, set to air on Netflix this autumn.
Ice Dancing Legends Honoured
Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean, Olympic champions who won gold at the 1984 Winter Games for their iconic Bolero performance, were also named in the New Year Honours list for services to ice skating and voluntary service. The duo later became the faces of the celebrity competition show Dancing On Ice. After learning of the honour, Dame Jayne, 68, said the timing felt "perfect" following their final ice dance performance last year. She remarked: "We had such a great time, we were so happy with the tour and the fact that we got through it. It was a big thing for us to mark our career before retirement, and then receiving this award at the end of the year, it’s just finished everything. It’s perfect."
Dame Meera Syal's Recognition
Dame Meera Syal, 64, star of The Kumars At No 42, will be recognised by the King for services to literature, drama, and charity. Born in Wolverhampton, the actress had her breakthrough 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 Brothers' Paul Elliott Honoured
Paul Elliott, the Rotherham comedian best known as one of the Chuckle Brothers, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for charitable service. The comedy double act, consisting of Paul and his brother Barry, were a staple in British homes with their TV show ChuckleVision, which aired nearly 300 episodes during the 1990s and 2000s. The show featured the hapless, accident-prone brothers uttering their catchphrase "To me, to you" as they caused chaos. Elliott has been a prominent supporter and ambassador for Marie Curie, whose nurses provided end-of-life care for Barry. Paul previously spoke about how the nurses looked after his brother "with incredible care and kindness."
