British actor Idris Elba has shared an amusing yet embarrassing story of how he nearly missed out on receiving a knighthood from King Charles, all because an important letter got lost in a pile of mail.
The Royal Invitation That Nearly Slipped Away
The Luther star explained that he was sent a formal 'consideration letter' from the Palace, asking whether he would accept the honour. However, the crucial document disappeared into a mountain of everyday post. "It's a bit embarrassing," Elba admitted during an appearance on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show. "I didn't see it as it got lost in a pile of post."
Fortunately, word reached his management team that a response was urgently required. "My agent told me that if I didn't accept it would pass me by," he told Norton. By the time he finally located the letter, he had just two days left to make his decision and formally accept the knighthood.
Honoured for Youth Work, Not Acting
The honour was announced in King Charles's 2026 New Year Honours list. Interestingly, Elba was recognised not for his three-decade career in film and television, which includes roles in The Wire and the recent thriller Hijack, but for his services to young people.
He is the founder of the Elba Hope Foundation, which focuses on tackling knife crime by empowering youth and providing alternatives to violence. "I got it for services to young people and I was thinking, 'Hang on a minute, that's great, but I've been acting for 30 years!'" he joked. "It is actually a great honour, and my mum is so pleased."
Elba humbly stated that the knighthood reflects the efforts of the young people he works with, not just his own. "I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation," he said.
Family Delight and Calls for Social Media Accountability
The actor revealed that while he hasn't yet undergone the official ceremony where the sword touches his shoulder, his family is already enjoying the new titles. "My wife is loving it," he said, confirming that Sabrina Elba has already begun using 'Lady Sabrina'.
Beyond his foundation's work, Elba has also been vocal about the role of technology in youth violence. He has called for greater accountability from social media companies regarding the violent content accessible to young people online. "When it comes to big tech, there needs to be accountability within their own policies," he argued last year.
In other news from the Graham Norton sofa, actress Erin Doherty, fresh from a Golden Globes win for Adolescence, discussed her role in the Disney+ series A Thousand Blows. She revealed it was the first time she'd used her natural voice for a part, surprising co-star Stephen Graham, who only knew her from her portrayal of Princess Anne in The Crown.
The episode also featured actors Wunmi Mosaku and Martin Freeman, with a musical performance from Olivia Dean.
