Brian May issues emotional Anita Dobson statement as fans send love

Sir Brian May has taken to social media to celebrate his wife Anita Dobson as she received her honour as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The EastEnders and Doctor Who star received the coveted award in the King's latest birthday honours list in recognition of her charity work. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (November 12), the Queen guitarist shared a clip of himself grinning beside his blushing wife as he shared a gushing tribute to her online.

He wrote: "A proud moment to share and well deserved by Anita, who never gets tired of giving her time to Thames Hospice and her other charities. Of course, she's a pretty damn good actress too !!!

"This is actually just before the ceremony in the 'waiting room' --- in Windsor Castle, which is about 100 times more splendid than I ever imagined. Bri." He followed his post up with another tribute to his wife, who soared to stardom as the Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts, just moments after she received her award, as she showed off her award to fans online.

He captioned the post: "Lady May OBE !!! Otherwise known as Anita Dobson. Just minutes after being presented with her honour by King Charles at Windsor Castle today. I am in proud support ! Bri."

It didn't take long before his famous friends and loyal legion of fans flooded to the comments to pass on their congratulatory comments online. Lizzie Cundy wrote: "Wow! Huge congrats Lady May [heart emoji]" as another added: "Congratulations to your dear Lady Anita, whom we also love very much [heart emoji]."

A third chimed in with: "Congratulations, Lady May OBE! [two applause emojis] So well deserved! [flower emoji]." A fourth echoed: "How wonderful! You must be so very proud of your Lady!!! [heart emoji, applause emoji]."

Brian and Anita have been together since the 80s and are set to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on November 18. Her award comes two years after Sir Brian was knighted by King Charles III in his first New Year's Honours in 2023, leading to Anita earning the title of Lady.

But this week it was her turn to be honoured by the monarch and receive royal recognition. Celebrating her OBE after it was announced in June this year, Anita told PA, via the Independent: "I'm utterly thrilled and completely honoured, and a bit bowled over and very excited...

"This is a very happy day and I just feel very lucky and people have just been texting in and being so supportive and so lovely. I hope everybody that's got an honour from the honours list has the same thing happening to them, that lots of people are making them feel special. Because I sure am."

Opening up about her commitment to charity work, she continued: "I sort of work on a very kind of basic level. I just think, if someone's in trouble, you help them. I had nothing when I was younger, and it's been the hard slog getting to anywheresville, and look where I am now. It's a good feeling to pass things on."