Key Highlights
- Anita Dobson has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to charitable fundraising and philanthropy.
- The actress attended the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle with her husband, Sir Brian May.
- Dobson is a patron for several charities including Thames Hospice and Focus Foundation.
- She reflected on her passion for charity work and the impact it has on children’s lives.
Anita Dobson Honored with OBE for Charity Work
Actress Anita Dobson, best known for playing Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts in EastEnders, was honored with an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The recognition came during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle attended by the King and her husband, Sir Brian May, a renowned Queen guitarist.
Recognition for Charitable Efforts
Dobson expressed gratitude for this honor, stating that her charity work has been “an awful lot of pleasure.” She mentioned how her career in acting made it possible for her to engage in philanthropic activities, saying, “When you become well-known suddenly people would like you to lend your patronage to them, so I’ve done it where I can and when I can, and it’s been an awful lot of pleasure, as well as I hope, bringing support to people that need it.”
Active Involvement in Charities
The 76-year-old actress is a patron for several charities. She highlighted her involvement with Thames Hospice, where she regularly visits patients and provides support. “I haven’t done as much with the Sick Children’s Trust as I would like to but I hope to remedy that again soon,” she said. Dobson also expressed her dedication to children’s causes, stating, “I think because they’re our future – and the hope for this world, which is in a terrible state at the moment. But if our children are loved and nurtured, and brought up with the right ethics and morals, then there’s hope.”
Return to EastEnders
This recognition comes amidst other recent developments in Dobson’s career. In May 2025, she returned to EastEnders to help mark the show’s 40th anniversary, appearing as a vision to support her daughter Sharon Watts during an explosive scene. “I wasn’t sure about it at first, I thought, am I doing the right thing going back?” she shared. “But I’m so glad I did it, it was quite magical.”
Additional Acting Roles
Dobson has also appeared in the long-running BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who since Christmas Day 2023, where her character Mrs Flood is revealed to be a disguised incarnation of the Rani. Her diverse acting career includes roles in Casualty and Inside No 9.
