Theatrical honours in the 2016 New Year Honours List

Theatrical honours in the 2016 New Year Honours list include...

DAME (DBE)
Carry On and Eastenders star Barbara Windsor. The 78 year old actress was born in London and first appeared on stage in 1950. Her long and successful career has included a Tony Award nomination for the 1964 Broadway production of 'Oh, What A Lovely War!'.

Welsh actress Siân Phillips (82) began acting professionally at the age of eleven. Recent London stage crecits include 'Calendar Girls' at the Noel Coward Theatre in 2009, 'Cabaret' at the Savoy Theatre in 2012/3 and 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2014.

CBE
Actress Imelda Staunton (59), who was recently highly praised for her role as Momma Rose in 'Gypsy', one of the all-time greatest Broadway musicals. The show enjoyed a successful run at the Savoy Theatre from March to November this year, following a transfer from the Chichester Festival. Staunton is a three-time Olivier Award winner, for 'A Chorus Of Disapproval' / 'The Corn Is Green' (1985), 'Into The Woods' (1991) and 'Sweeney Todd' (2013).

OBE
Actor Idris Elba's (43) London stage credits include 'This Is How It Goes' at the Donmar Warehouse in 2005. Television credits include BBC crime drama 'Luther' and film credits include 2014's 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'.

Actor James Nesbitt (50), has many television credits to his name, including the popular ITV comedy/drama 'Cold Feet' which ran from 1998 to 2003 and is set to return to our TV screens next year. Nesbitt's West End stage credits include 'Shoot The Crow' at the Trafalgar Studios in 2005.

Singer/songwriter and Blur frontman Damon Albarn (47) also receives an OBE. Albarn is currently represented in the West End as co-creator and music writer for wonder.land, at the Olivier, National Theatre.

CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire

OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire

MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire