Birthday Honours: Helen Mirren, Malorie Blackman, Dexter Fletcher and more recognised

This year’s Birthday Honours have been revealed.

Helen Mirren was made a Companion of Honour, a step beyond a damehood, for her services to drama.

Writer Malorie Blackman was made Dame, as was children’s author Julia Donaldson. Blackman and Donaldson’s works have been adapted for the stage.

Scottish composer Patrick Doyle, who worked extensively on Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespeare films including Much Ado About Nothing and Henry V, was made CBE.

Actor Dexter Fletcher (who made his film debut in Bugsy Malone and has since performed on stages across the UK) was made OBE, as was author Peter James, the mastermind behind the Grace thriller series, and choreographer Aletta Collins.

Nick Hern, founder of Nick Hern Books, was made OBE.

Actress and comedian Lisa Riley was made MBE for services to drama, while Paul Stacey, founder and artistic director of Reading Rep was also made MBE for services to theatre, as was Peter Talbot, founder of the Rude Mechanical Theatre Company, and Christopher Turner, founder of the London Bus Theatre Company, both based in Sussex.

Shirley McGill, founder of McGill School of Speech and Drama, was a medallist for services to drama. Pauline Hough has also been granted a BEM at the age of 101 for her services to Theatre and to the community in Nantwich – the oldest recipient on the list. Angela Manson received the same award for services for youth musical theatre, as did Rebecca Chapman, founder of the Total Ensemble Theatre Company, and Melanie Houldershaw, for services to local theatre and choir.