The Gallifreyan Newsroom is delighted to report that two Doctor Who alumni have been listed in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, which has just been released. We would like to pass on their warmest congratulations, the family of Doctor Who are very proud of you both.

Firstly, Brian Blessed, (King Yrcanos in Mindwarp) Occupation: Actor – Star of stage, screen and TV with other roles in Blackadder, Flash Gordon and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Honour: OBE for services to the arts and charity
Quote: “This is a complete surprise. I am absolutely delighted. It is marvellous that the son of a Yorkshire coal miner should be given such an honour.”

Secondly, Penleope Wilton, (Harriet Jones MP) Penelope Wilton, who becomes a dame in the honours’ list, has been a familiar face on British and international screens since the early 1970s, as well as forging an award-winning stage career. She had a starring role in ’80s sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles opposite Richard Briers, won stage awards for Shakespeare and Terence Rattigan plays, and more recently played the Prime Minister in Doctor Who and Isobel Crawley in Downton Abbey.