And damehood for Emma Thompson

Carry On actress Fenella Fielding has been made an an OBE for services to drama and charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The 90-year-old appeared in Carry On Regardless in 1961  and, most famously, in Carry On Screaming! in 1966.

One of her earliest roles was appearing alongside Kenneth Williams in the 1959 comedy revue Pieces of Eight, written by Harold Pinter and Peter Cook.  Fielding also guest starred in the Hancock's Half Hour episode The Poetry Society that year.

She appeared in four episodes of Morecambe and Wise Show between 1969 and 1972 and – at the other end of the comedy spectrum –  starred in Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson's film Guest House Paradiso in 1999.

Fielding is also known for serious dramatic roles, including plays by Ibsen, Shakespeare and Henry James.

Emma Thompson, who started her career with the Perrier-award winning Cambridge Footlights troupe and has a host of comedy credits to her name, is made a dame.

Comic actor Gary Wilmot was made an MBE in today’s list, and Brian Cosgrove, the creator of the Dangermouse cartoon, becomes an OBE. 

And Timothy Bentinck, who plays David Archer in Radio 4's The Archers was awarded the MBE for services to drama. 

Earlier this week, Chortle reported how he was starring in an Edinburgh Fringe comedy play inspired by Brexit alongside comedians  Mike McShane, Jo Caulfield, Pippa Evans and Hal Cruttenden 

He said he was  ‘astonished and humbled’ by the honour.  Bentinck is also the 12th Earl of Portland, the 8th Count Bentinck, although he does not use his title.

Published: 8 Jun 2018