Why Nigella Refused Obe?

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pairing turned down OBEs "for services to comedy drama" in 2001. It was only later they explained. Saunders said: “If I felt I deserved a Damehood I'd accept it,” she told Source magazine. “At the time, we felt that we were being paid very well to have a lot of fun.

Why did Nigella turn down OBE?

Naturally, as a bastion of British culture, Nigella was offered an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2001, but turned it down seemingly out of sheer modesty.

Who refused an OBE?

Geraldine McEwan, actress (in 2002; had previously declined appointment as OBE in 1986). Vanessa Redgrave, actress, accepted CBE in 1967; declined damehood in 1999. Bridget Riley, artist (accepted CH and CBE). Dorothy Wedderburn, academic, Principal of Royal Holloway and Bedford College London, 1980–90.