Steven Knight Says He Will Celebrate CBE In 'Tommy Shelby Style'

The creator of Peaky Blinders has said he intends to celebrate his CBE in the only way he knows how, like the star of his most famous show.

Steven Knight was among a host of celebrities named in the New Years honours list, chosen for his services to drama, entertainment, and the community of Birmingham.

And now the writer has said he plans on marking the occasion as his most iconic character, gangster Tommy Shelby, would.

Speaking to PA about the gong, he said: "I celebrate Shelby-style every day - bottles of whiskey and cigarettes.

"No, I'm joking! Tommy Shelby occasionally has a bottle of champagne, so that's what I'll do."

PA

The fifth series of the hit drama hit our screens earlier this year, with the Shelby patriarch taking on menacing far-right leader Oswald Mosley.

And while two more seasons of the show are already in the works, Knight said he wouldn't rule out making a feature-length movie.

Speaking to LADbible at the first Peaky Blinders Festival in Birmingham, he said: "I would (consider doing a film). The end scene is the end of this as a television series the way it is now, but it's certainly not ruling out spin offs or a movie.

"You know there's a Peaky Blinders ballet that is being performed today and it's brilliant, it's mind-blowing. So I think there's something about Peaky where it's a world, lots of people have different interpretations of that world, so I'm all for keeping the spirit going."

BBC

Knight also said he had written the first four episodes of season six and heaped praise on the show's star, Cillian Murphy, claiming the actor would make a 'fantastic Bond'.

"We're so fortunate that he's played the role and you completely cannot conceive of anybody else playing Tommy Shelby," Knight said.

"He'd be a great virtually anything, 'cause he's so flexible, he's such a chameleon. He would be a fantastic Bond. Whether or not he's interested I have no idea."

This years honours list also included a special mention for Sir Elton John, who was awarded the Companion of Honour - reserved for only a few dozen people - for his incredible career.

Speaking about the accolade, he said: "I'm humbled and honoured to be among such highly esteemed company in receiving the Companion of Honour.

"2019 has turned out to be a truly wonderful year for me and I feel extraordinarily blessed."

Topics: TV and Film, Interesting, UK Entertainment, Peaky Blinders

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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