News Tom Baker appointed MBE

[TommyR01D]

The New Year Honours for 2025 were released last night.

The actor and writer Thomas Stewart BAKER was appointed an ordinary member of the civil division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for services to television.

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I'm actually a little surprised that he accepted so low a distinction. Given his age and prominence, I thought he would at least deserve to be an officer or commander of the order, though I can understand if he wouldn't accept a knighthood. A small part of me even harboured hopes of him being made a Companion of Honour, though perhaps that was wishful thinking on my part.

 

[Timewalker]

I remember years ago when Patrick Stewart was knighted. The people on the Doctor Who forum I was running at the time (the forum was dedicated to Tom Baker/Fourth Doctor) were LIVID that Tom hadn't been knighted.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Regardless of the ranking, the award is long overdue and I'm grateful for it nonetheless.

 

[matthunter]

Baker served in non-combative roles in his National Service and was a monk, it's possible he would not prefer an order with more military connotations?

 

[Turtletrekker]

Is he now referred to as "Sir Tom"?

 

[TommyR01D]

No, only the top two grades of the order confer knighthood.

 

[JD]

Even if it's not a full on knighthood, that's still pretty impressive.

 

[diankra]

Other Who people to receive awards include Anne Reid, Sarah Lancashire, Carmen Munroe and Stephen Fry (who is knighted).

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Why not an OBE?