Last Tango in Halifax's Anne Reid, 91, honoured by King Charles after seven decades on screen

The 91-year-old actress received a CBE for her services to drama at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle

Anne Reid poses at a cocktail hour celebrating the cast of "Oedipus" on Broadway beginning performances at Bazaar Bar at The Ritz-Carlton New York on October 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images)© Bruce Glikas/Getty Images
Nicky Morris
Nicky MorrisActing TV and Film Editor
2 minutes ago
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Anne Reid has been awarded a CBE for her services to drama at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday (23 June). 

The 91-year-old actress received the honour by King Charles after being recognised in the King's New Year Honours list 2025.

Anne Reid, from London, Actor, is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The honour recognises services to drama. Picture date: Tuesday June 23, 2026.© PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
Anne Reid shook King Charles' hand during an investiture at Windsor Castle

Anne, who received an MBE from the late Queen in 2010, beamed as she shook the King's hand. The pair were also pictured sharing a laugh after the monarch pinned the CBE medal to the lapel of her taupe-coloured suit.

Anne Reid, from London, Actor, is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The honour recognises services to drama. Picture date: Tuesday June 23, 2026.© PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
The pair shared a laugh during the ceremony

Anne Reid's career

The BAFTA-nominated actress is perhaps best known for playing Celia Dawson in the romantic comedy drama, Last Tango in Halifax. The Yorkshire-set series, which also starred Sarah Lancashire, Nicola Walker and Derek Jacobi, was penned by Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright and aired on BBC One for eight years between 2012 and 2020.

WATCH: The trailer for Last Tango in Halifax season 5
Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker starred together in hit BBC drama, Last Tango in Halifax © BBC/BritBox
Anne starred alongside Sarah Lancashire, Nicola Walker and Derek Jacobi in hit BBC drama, Last Tango in Halifax

Anne, who hails from Newcastle, landed her breakout role as Valerie Barlow in the ITV soap Coronation Street in 1961. She also played Jean in the comedy Dinnerladies between 1998 and 2000 and Mrs. Rouncewell in the BBC's 2005 adaptation of Bleak House.

Her other TV credits include Upstairs Downstairs, Years and Years and Sanditon. She also played an alien in a 2007 episode of Doctor Who.

Anne Reid on the red carpet at the Sky Arts Awards in 2023. © Getty
Anne was awarded the honour for her services to drama

Anne has been nominated for two TV BAFTAs for her roles in Last Tango in Halifax and the BBC's true crime drama, The Sixth Commandment.

Anne Reid in The Sixth Commandment on BBC. © BBC
Anne starred in the The Sixth Commandment

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) trained actress also boasts an impressive film career, earning critical acclaim and a BAFTA nomination for her performance in the 2003 drama The Mother, alongside Daniel Craig. 

Anne Reid, Alice Orr-Ewing and Emma Fielding in Sanditon© Photographer: Rob Youngson, ITV
Anne pictured alongside Alice Orr-Ewing and Emma Fielding in Sanditon

She also provided the voice for Wendolene Ramsbottom in the 1995 film, Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave, and played florist Leslie Tiller in the 2007 comedy Hot Fuzz. 

As for her stage career, Anne has starred in a number of London theatre productions, including Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic, Happy Now? at the National Theatre and A Woman of No Importance at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Upstairs Downstairs is available to stream on Netflix© BBC Studios
Anne also starred in Upstairs Downstairs

She also made her Broadway debut in 2025, starring alongside Mark Strong and Lesley Manville in Oedipus at Studio 54.

Anne's life off-screen

Anne married TV producer Peter Eckersley in 1971. The pair met on the set of Coronation Street, where Peter worked as a writer and producer. 

Just a few months after tying the knot, the pair welcomed a son named Mark. 

Anne and Peter leaving the registry office on 22 May 1971© Getty
Anne and Peter married in 1971

Peter sadly passed away in 1981 after being diagnosed with cancer. 

Speaking about her late husband during an appearance on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in 2014, Anne called him "the cleverest man and the funniest man in the world." 

She added: "I never thought of getting married again, I'm quite difficult to live with I think."

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