Blackadder star and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador Tony Robinson receives knighthood

Tony Robinson, best known for playing Baldrick in the popular TV series Blackadder and presenting Channel 4’s Time Team, has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The actor, presenter and writer was awarded the honour for public and political service.

Both of Sir Tony's parents, Leslie and Phyllis, died with dementia and he filmed the final days of his mother's life in a powerfully moving documentary called Me and My Mum.

He is an active ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and has helped raise vital funds for services for people with the condition as well as launching its Putting Care Right Campaign.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society said: “Whether raising awareness of the experiences people with dementia have in care homes or taking to the streets to end the Dementia Tax, Sir Tony has been a tireless ambassador for Alzheimer's Society.

“Alzheimer's Society is fighting to improve the lives of people with the condition today whilst finding a cure tomorrow. Sir Tony's work has been a huge help and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honour.”

Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 800,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer’s disease. In less than ten years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7m people by 2051.