Citizen Khan creator and star Adil Ray received his OBE this week, awarded to the star in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Birmingham actor and Citizen Khan star Adil Ray has received an OBE at Buckingham Palace, for his services to broadcasting.
The 42-year-old, received the award from the Duke of Cambridge during a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony.
Adil, best known for his BBC comedy series Citizen Khan, said: “I started as a DJ playing music on the radio and ended up doing journalism on the radio and documentary film making and now I’ve got a sitcom on the telly.
Adil Ray created and stars in BBC show Citizen Khan, now in its fifth series (Photograph: BBC)
A surreal day at The Palace and Tea @theritzlondon. I dedicate my OBE to my Mum & Dad. They made me! Thank you. pic.twitter.com/RquBq0lqE7
— Adil Ray (@adilray) November 11, 2016
“I think the great thing about all of that is it’s all about story telling – that’s what I’m doing. I feel very privileged to have got this far and got the award today.”
He added: “In the end I just want to make comedy, in the kind of world we’re living in today – you can look at events this week around the world – if something like Citizen Khan and comedy can help us all appreciate each other a bit more and laugh at the same things together, that can only be a good thing.”
Birmingham star Adil Ray receives his OBE at Buckingham Palace from Prince William
Adil Ray’s on-screen family grace the red carpet for the Birmingham premier of Citizen Khan (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Fans took selfies with actor Adil Ray, who was dressed up as his alter ego Mr Khan (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Adil Ray created and stars in BBC show Citizen Khan, now in its fifth series (Photograph: BBC)
>> GALLERY: Citizen Khan Series 4 | Birmingham Premiere <<
As well as Citizen Khan, first broadcast in 2012, he has also been a presenter on the BBC Asian Network.
Adil, who was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year, said he wanted to dedicate the award to his parents for their support which enabled him to follow his dreams.
>> GALLERY: Adil Ray Comedy Taster Session at BBC Birmingham in The Mailbox <<
Birmingham actor and comedian Adil Ray as his alter ego Citizen Khan (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Actor and comedian Adil Ray with journalist Adam Yosef (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Adil Ray’s Citizen Khan with London Mayor Sadiq Khan (Photograph: BBC)
“They, like many immigrant families, came to Britain with dreams of their own and I feel very fortunate that with the help of many supportive people around me I have been able to follow mine.
“At a time when the future of Britain is under discussion and yet again immigration is top of the agenda honours like this remind us that we all have a part to play and have something to contribute to Great Britain.
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