Sheffield-born broadcaster Charlie Webster among locals on King’s birthday honours 2026 - full list
The award-winning Sheffield-born broadcaster, journalist, charity campaigner and podcaster, Charlie Webster has been awarded the MBE
From growing up in a working class family in Sheffield to overcoming abuse and building an internationally recognised career breaking Hollywood, Charlie Webster’s story is truly remarkable.
And in the latest turn, the former Tapton pupil admitted to being shocked and delighted at being recognised in the King’s birthday honours list for services to broadcasting and charity.
“It’s still not sunk in,” she told The Star. “Even when I first found out, I was questioning whether it was real.
“It wasn't remotely expected and it brought up so many emotions. At first I couldn't believe it but after that it finally sunk in and realised that it was actually real.”
Back in 2014, Charlie, who has worked as a presenter on Sky Sports and Channel 4, revealed that she had been abused as a teenager during her time at an all-girls running club in the city.
“I have given a lot of my life and my time to really try and do something with the experiences that I had,E she said. “I’ve sat in so many rooms frustrated, upset, triggered, because you’re trying to distill your pain and trauma into something that can have an impact and that can be turned into a policy or law.”
Charlie’s work has led to changes in legislation to protect children from being abused.
Despite Charlie’s appreciation at being bestowed with the honour, she remains firmly grounded.
Along with her campaigning work, it is her upbringing in the Steel City that has helped shep the woman she is today.
She said: “The city’s definitely shaped me. The way I was raised without even realising meant I understood elements of politics because of everything we all went through. My family all come from mining, steel works, we were working class.
“Sheffield is so rich in culture, in history, and it’s definitely why I have such grit and determination. I think that Sheffield people have that.”
In 2016, Charlie took on an epic challenge of cycling 3000 miles from London to Rio for charity. She successfully completed the challenge, but immediately fell ill ahead of presenting at the Olympic Games – she had contracted malaria during her journey.
She said: “I remember when I survived Rio 10-years-ago when I nearly died, people said it's that Steel City grit. It's the steel that runs through your blood. I truly believe that.”
She was given 24 hours to live with multiple organs failing and put on life support in a coma with malaria. It was a miracle that she survived.
Charlie had to relearn how to walk again, but the effects of the disease were not only physical but psychological. She struggled with the onset of PTSD. It is something she has spoken about many times since, even on-stage at TedX.
Her story is not only remarkable, it’s admirable and she shows no signs of letting up.
Despite multiple set-backs in life, each experience has been the fuel that drives Charlie forward. Her repertoire is vast, covering broadcasting, journalism, modelling, charity work, she’s also an author and even a number of acclaimed podcast series from the twice Emmy-nominated ‘Scamanda’ to ‘Surviving El Chapo’, co-created with Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson.
“I did leave the city to pursue my career, there was a lot of trauma here. But at the same time, I appreciate everything that city gave me,” Charlie says.
Elsewhere locally, Dr Sharon Curtis, the chief executive officer of Emosi in Burngreave, has been awarded an OBE.
She said: “I’m honoured and humbled but it;s important to remember that none of the work I do and have been acknowledged for would be possible without the community of people I have around me.”
Full list of South Yorkshire honours:
MBE - Charlie Webster. For services to broadcasting and charity.
CBE - Thomas William Banham. Chief executive, Hoyland Common Academy Trust, Barnsley for services to education.
OBE - Dr Sharon Curtis. Chief executive officer, Emosi, Burngreave, Sheffield for services to early years education and children’s mental health.
OBE - Simon Charles Perryman. Lately chair of governors, Barnsley College for services to further education.
MBE - Krysten Michael Francis Coombs. Athlete and trustee, Dwarf Sports Association UK for services to badminton and to the Dwarf Sports Association.
MBE - Alan Dootson. Development manager, Sheffield Co-Operative Development Group for services to co-operatives in the city of Sheffield.
MBE - Richard Mark Morris. Head of GB para badminton for services to sport and disabled people.
MBE - Professor Simeon John Yates. Professor of digital culture, University of Liverpool for services to digital inclusion.
MBE - Lucille Elizabeth Windle. Executive headteacher, Abbey School, Rotherham for services to education.
MBE - Professor Richard John Scaife. Regional development director, The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre for services to manufacturing.
MBE - David Alan Dalton. Chief executive officer, British Glass for services to the glass industry.
BEM - Judith Mary Holling. For services to the community in Barnsley.
BEM - Lynsey Corbiere. Customer service officer, East Midlands Railway for services to rail passengers in Sheffield.
BEM - Margaret Lawson. Community safety manager, South Yorkshire Police for services to young people in South Yorkshire.
BEM - Stephen James O’Callaghan. Safeguarding and crime prevention lead, TransPennine Express for services to rail safety.