King’s Birthday Honours list revealed as Ruth Dodsworth awarded

An ITV presenter and survivor of domestic abuse has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Ruth Dodsworth said being awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) was “for every single person who held my hand on that journey”.

The 50-year-old was awarded the title for services to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, and said it came with a “responsibility”.

She added she “promised to use it wisely”, and to “keep talking about domestic abuse until one day hopefully we won’t have to”.

Others also receiving honours include a cancer nurse, a music festival organiser and a TV producer.

Dodsworth said her life was “saved” six years ago and felt “privileged” to have been able to use her voice.

Her ex-husband was jailed in 2021 for coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking.

She said: “If all of this can help just one person then all of this has been worth it. It isn’t an easy journey to go on.

“We know it’s not easy but there are really good things out there if you can get out of that abusive relationship, and this is one of those good things.”

Idwal Davies, from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, said the award of the British Empire Medal (BEM) “came out of the blue”.

The 98-year-old has raised thousands of pounds, along with other members of the Llanelli and District Hospital Friends, and has written a book about his local area.

“The honour is something that I had never considered, but I am pleased that I will have it,” he said.

“I was delighted when I received the letter. I have done a lot of things for the community, but I didn’t do things like that to get a reward or something like that.

“I did this because I enjoy doing it.”

Couple Iain and Becky Ashcroft, from Mold, Flintshire, are both being honoured with Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

They met when they joined forces as members of a search and rescue team in north Wales.

They said the role was challenging but extremely rewarding, and did not have any inkling about the award.

Becky said: “I was at home by myself on the day the letter arrived, and when I opened it, I simply could not believe my eyes.

“I cried and then I was stunned for a long time.”

She said: “I still find myself reeling at the unexpectedness of it all. I saw Iain had a similar letter, but I did not tell him about mine until he came home and opened his. I could see his reaction was similar – disbelief, shock, and emotion.

“We are also delighted that the work that North East Wales Search and Rescue does is recognised. We could not do what we do alone – there is a huge and committed team of volunteers behind and alongside us.”

Ann Atkinson, a former artistic director of the North Wales International Music festival, thought she had been sent a speeding fine or was being asked to do jury service, rather than receiving a nomination for an MBE.

She said she could not believe it after opening the official-looking letter.

Cancer nurse and lawn bowler Anwen Butten, who was named team Wales captain for the last Commonwealth Games, also now adds MBE to her title.

She said she was “shocked” and “thrilled” to be recognised for services to the sport as well as to cancer care.

The 52-year-old from Cellan, Ceredigion, has represented Wales in bowls since 1988.

She also plays a role in supporting patients as a head and neck cancer clinical nurse specialist.

“I just feel it’s a huge privilege to be a part of the patient’s journey,” she said.

The King’s Birthday Honours awards celebrate the contribution of well-known personalities, government employees and ordinary people who have served their community.

Honours are typically awarded by the King, Prince of Wales or Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Recipients can select their investiture’s date and location but not which member of the Royal Family presides over the ceremony.

Others on the list from Wales are Newport GP Modupeola Obilanade who gets an MBE for promoting healthy habits.

Prof Brian Morgan also receives an OBE for services to the Welsh economy, while Jane Tranter, from Bad Wolf studios, gets a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to television and Allison Dowzell receives an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to broadcasting.