Critics' Circle Award for Distinguised Service to the Arts

Each year since 1988 The Critics' Circle has presented an award for Distinguished Service to the Arts, voted for by all members of the Circle, embracing Dance, Drama, Film, Music, Visual Arts and Architecture.

At a celebratory luncheon on 10th April 2007 in the National Theatre's Terrace Restaurant, the award for 2006 was presented to Dame Helen Mirren. As David Gritten, chairman of the Film section made clear, the decision to make the award was voted on in November 2006, well in advance of the awards hubbub that surrounded her performance in The Queen.

Accepting the award, an engraved crystal rose bowl, Mirren described it as the most useful she has ever received, while reflecting poignantly that this now "might be the last award I will win in my life. It has been a most incredible year. You do the work and then....."

Previous recipients include Sir Peter Hall (1988), Dame Judi Dench (1997) and Ian McKellen (2003).

Queen Helen takes the Emmy!

For outstanding actress in a mini-series or movie, Helen Mirren received the Emmy, her third in nine nominations, for Elizabeth I. Elizabeth i received nine awards in total: best actress, best supporting actor for Jeremy Irons, best director, best mini-series, casting, art direction, editing, costumes and hair styling.