A Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for the actress Jean Alexander.

We the undersigned request that Jean Alexander is made a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Jean Alexander was born on 24th February 1926 and was a librarian for many years before she became an actress. She is best known to the British public for playing Hilda Ogden in the television soap opera Coronation Street, a role she played for 23 years (1964-1987). Hilda Ogden is the best soap character of all time and in one poll she was voted the fourth most recognizable person in Britain after the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales. Since leaving Coronation Street, she has found fame again playing Auntie Wainwright in the BBC comedy series Last of the Summer Wine, a role she has played since 1988. Jean is a great character actress and it is time she was recognized and rewarded for this. Jean has never received any official recognition and we feel it is time she did.

Please take this petition very seriously.