Meera Syal to be made a CBE at Buckingham Palace today

Actress and writer Meera Syal will be made a CBE today during an investiture ceremony for her services to drama and literature.

The celebrity, who is married to her screen colleague Sanjeev Bhaskar, is best know for her comedy roles in Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No 42.

But she has also found a receptive audience for her books about the experiences of British Asians.

Her first book Anita And Me was well received and later adapted for the screen, and she found further acclaim for her second book Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee.

Also being recognised at the Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony is Oscar-nominated screenwriter and novelist William Nicholson who will be awarded an OBE for his services to drama and literature.

He has scripted a succession of celebrated films including Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, Les Miserables and Gladiator.