It’s been the hardest thing for me to keep this a secret, but I’m glad it’s out now, because this is probably one of the proudest days of my life. I can’t tell you how honored I am to get this MBE, to be recognized by Her Majesty, and also by the United Kingdom, because that’s where I consider my home. Proud to be Scottish, proud to be part of Great Britain, and proud to accept this honour. I am chuffed and I can’t say more than that.”
— Out actor John Barrowman, who originally hails from Scotland, admits he was very happy, or “chuffed,” in Britslang, at being honored by Queen Elizabeth with a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
H/t: Gay Star News
BECQueerty
I started watching my first “new era” Dr. Who this last few weeks on Netflix and when (is it correct to say, but not to be confused with “Ser” of Game of Thrones) Sir Barrowman showed up in one of the early episodes… I was like, “wait, I know this dude!”.
Happy to see his success and beautiful face. Congrats Ser, errr… , Sir Barrowman!
Tyris
@BECQueerty: No, it is not correct to say. “Sir” (or “Dame”) is only for the senior two ranks of the Order; Barrowman was awarded an MBE which is the most junior rank.
shumwae
@BECQueerty: Not only is it incorrect to call John Barrowman Sir, but even if he had been knighted then you’d be referring to him as Sir John, and never as Sir Barrowman.
shumwae
Also, “MBE” doesn’t stand for “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.” It stands for “Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire,” and is the lowest of the five grades in the Order.
For what it’s worth, the other grades are (from bottom to top), Officer (OBE), Commander (CBE), Knight Commander/Dame Commander (KBE or DBE), and Knight Grand Cross/Dame Grand Cross (GBE). If Barrowman had been appointed either a Knight Commander or a Knight Grand Cross, then he’d be Sir John.
I know nobody really cares though….