Ex Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati given MBE in King’s Birthday Honours

Shobna Gulati was among those in the entertainment industry to receive the honour

**Shobna Gulati was present at the 8th Annual Asian Awards, which took place at the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane. (Photo: PA Images/Archive PA)**

An MBE has been awarded to soap opera actress Shobna Gulati in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Due to her contributions to the cultural industries, actress and presenter Gulati,57, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Gulati, who was born in 1966 in Oldham, Lancashire, is best known for her appearances as Anita in the BBC comedy Dinnerladies and Sunita in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.

Her theatrical experiences include the 2015 worldwide run of Mamma Mia!, the 2018 UK tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and the 2019 Globe production of Richard II.

She has also participated as a panellist on the topical debate show Loose Women on ITV throughout the day.

In addition, singer Rebecca Ferguson received an MBE as part of the King’s Birthday Honours. The musician, who is from Liverpool and finished second on ITV’s X Factor in 2010, is recognised for her contributions to the music business.

The 37-year-old, who was up in Huyton, Woolton, and Anfield, first pursued a career in law before entering the singing competition and placing second behind One Direction, with Matt Cardle becoming victorious.

However, Graeme Souness’s “life-changing” charitable activities earned him a CBE in the King’s Birthday honours list.

The 71-year-old had stints at Anfield as a player and manager, winning the FA Cup during his tenure in the dugout and the English first division five times as well as three European Cups.

Following his efforts to increase awareness of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), Souness has received recognition for his contributions and assistance to charitable causes. The Scot is the vice president of DEBRA UK, sometimes known as “The Butterfly Skin Charity,” and he has swum 30 miles across the English Channel to raise more than £1 million for the organisation.