Oldham-born actress Shobna Gulati, known for her role in Coronation Street, is has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours list. 

The 57-year-old actress, who played Sunita Alahan in the soap from 2001 to 2013, will receive the honour for services to the cultural industries. 

Her character was introduced to the show after fleeing an arranged marriage and setting her new life up working in the corner shop featured in the show. 

She goes on to have children and various storylines, including surviving an aneurysm, the famous tram crash and even hostage situations.

As well as her successful career on the soap, she has featured as a panellist on Loose Women from 2013 to 2014. 

Gulati is also a frequent feature on the West End after taking on the role of Ray in hit show Everybody's Talking About Jamie in 2019 and played the same character in the movie adaptation. 

She is set to also reprise the role in the UK and Ireland tour of the show. 

Most recently, she played the role of Nima in Hullraisers and Mari Hoff in the 2022 UK tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

Also among those receiving Honours is BBC's former creative director Alan Yentob, author Monica Ali and songwriter Gerry DeVaux.

The King's Birthday Honours celebrates the achievements and contributions of people accross the UK and is published by the official newspaper of the crown in mid-June as part of His Majesty's birthday celebrations.