“I’m just a girl from a small town in Wales who loves to sing”: Bonnie Tyler, 71, is awarded an MBE for services to music by Prince William after a five-decade career
- Tyler, best known for her 1983 hit Total Eclipse Of The Heart, said earning an MBE shows that “anyone can become successful.”
- The Welsh singer was honored alongside actress Pauline Quirke in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List last year
- Northern Ireland’s most capped international, Shirley McCay, also received an MBE for services to ice hockey and society
Welsh rock singer Bonnie Tyler was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
Tyler, 71, best known for her 1983 hit Total Eclipse Of The Heart, received her MBE from William, Prince of Wales and said the honor showed that “anyone, with any background, can achieve success”.
Acknowledged for a career spanning five decades, she added: “I’m just a girl from a small town in Wales who just loves to sing. To be recognized for it in this way is very important for me and my family and friends.’
A total blackening of heart: Welsh rock singer Bonnie Tyler received her MBE for services to music from William, Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on Wednesday
The Welsh singer was honored on the Queen’s Birthday Honors List last year alongside actress Pauline Quirke, best known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in hit comedy Birds Of A Feather.
Quirke, 63, starred opposite Linda Robson on the show from 1988 to 1999 and in a revival from 2014 to 2017.
She is also known for appearing in Emmerdale from 2010-2012 and in the crime drama Broadchurch.
She has since retired from acting to expand her performing arts school, Pauline Quirke Academy, founded in 2007, and received her MBE for services to young people, entertainment and charity.
Delighted: Tyler, best known for her 1983 hit Total Eclipse Of The Heart, said earning an MBE shows that “anyone, with any background, can become successful.”
There you go: Tyler was greeted by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle during Wednesday’s investiture
Humbled: “I’m just a girl from a small town in Wales who just loves to sing,” she said after receiving her honor
Ireland’s most capped international, Shirley McCay, also received an MBE for services to the sport of ice hockey and the community of Northern Ireland.
McCay, 34, played more than 300 times in defense for the Ireland women’s national field hockey team and said receiving an MBE was “completely unexpected but very special”.
She played a key role in representing the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the Ireland team at the 2018 Ice Hockey World Championships where Ireland finished runners-up.
Effort deserves reward: Tyler was spotted talking to the prince after accepting her MBE
There it is: The Welsh singer showed off the award as she left Windsor Castle on Wednesday
Well done: Pauline Quirke, actress, founder and director of the Pauline Quirke Academy, was also made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales
Former President of the Royal College of Physicians, Sir Andrew Goddard, is knighted for services to health and social services.
Sir Andrew, 55, who held the office of President from 2018 to 2022, said he was “utterly humbled” by being awarded a knighthood when it was announced in the roll of honor last year.
The gastroenterologist said: “However, I see it as recognition of all the medical workforce that has done in response to the pandemic and the issues it has highlighted, including health inequalities and labor shortages.
“The pandemic has produced the best doctors and I have never been prouder to be one.”
Moving on: Quirke retired from acting to expand her performing arts school, the Pauline Quirke Academy, which started in 2007
Recognition: The actress received her MBE for services to young people, entertainment and charity