Coronation Street actors Anthony Cotton and Helen Worth have been awarded MBEs in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Anthony, who plays Sean Tully in the ITV soap, has been recognised for services to British Army, personnel and veterans.
The 46-year old has said that he is "completely overwhelmed" by the honour. He has been involved with the military community since 2008 and was named as the first celebrity ambassador for military charity the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).
He is also a patron of Help For Heroes and was made the SSAFA’s 2022 ambassador for the defence inclusivity category.
Anthony first became associated with the charities after a close friend returned from Afghanistan and needed support.
Helen, 71, has been recognised for her services to drama after playing Gail Platt for nearly 48 years.
She said: “It was a huge surprise to learn that I had been nominated for an MBE.
“To be honoured for doing something I have enjoyed so much for so many years is truly wonderful, and I am particularly delighted to receive this award in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year.”
Since joining the soap in 1974, her character Gail has engaged in many ill-fated love affairs and seen the deaths of four of her five husbands.
Away from the soap, Helen is also a patron for the Born Free Foundation, an international wildlife charity working to stop animal suffering and protect threatened species.
Speaking on Helen's honour, John Whiston, ITV’s managing director of continuing drama & head of ITV in the north, said: “Everyone on the show is so pleased to hear about Helen’s Jubilee honour.
" She has been on the show nearly 50 years and yet every time she appears the screen lights up, whether that’s scrapping with Eileen in the street, fending off a homicidal husband, sparring with her disrespectful son or poignantly summing up an emotive moment, as she did after Aidan’s suicide.
“She is a faultless actor and a lovely human being who richly deserves this honour.”
He also addressed Anthony's honour, saying: "John Whiston, ITV’s managing director of continuing drama & head of ITV in the north, said: “Everyone on the show is so pleased to hear about Helen’s Jubilee honour.
“She has been on the show nearly 50 years and yet every time she appears the screen lights up, whether that’s scrapping with Eileen in the street, fending off a homicidal husband, sparring with her disrespectful son or poignantly summing up an emotive moment, as she did after Aidan’s suicide.
“She is a faultless actor and a lovely human being who richly deserves this honour.”
*Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV
