For years he was tipped to take over on His Majesty’s secret service as the next James Bond and now Idris Elba is to be knighted by the King.
The odds may have slipped for the star of Luther and The Wire to become 007 but he has been recognised for his work campaigning against knife crime.
Sir Idris, 53, is among a string of top celebrities to receive gongs in the New Year’s Honours while ice dancers and the Lionesses lead stars of the sporting world.
The actor, whose Elba Hope Foundation supports youth advocacy, said he was accepting the honour on behalf of the ‘many young people’ at his charity who inspire his work.
Sir Idris said: ‘I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.’
AfroSaxonVoice Wishes Idris Elba All The Very Best For The Future.