Wanstead BBC presenter ‘honoured’ to receive a New Year MBE and hopes Meghan Markle is at the ceremony
Eddie Nestor, BBC radio presenter and Wanstead resident has been made an MBE. - Credit: Archant
A broadcaster from Wanstead has made the Queen’s New Year Honours.
BBC Radio London presenter, actor and compere, Eddie Nestor is made an MBE for his services to charity and broadcasting.
Since battling cancer in 2017, the 53-year-old has promised to raise money for good causes every year.
From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running the London Marathon to jumping from a plane, and doing a six-pack challenge, the father of two has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the past 10 years.
The self-proclaimed working-class kid who grew up in Hackney said he “never imagined” he would be made an MBE and he didn’t think the honours were for people like him.
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“I am an ordinary person and people don’t hear about ordinary people getting things like this,” he said.
“I have had some really kind messages of support.
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“It is a great honour, and I hope Meghan (Markle) is going to be at the ceremony.”
The former Casualty actor has big plans for 2018 and hopes to raise money for St Francis Hospice, Brixton Soup Kitchen and mentoring charity, Urban Synergy.
He will also feature in Idris Elba’s directorial debut film, Yardie, which is currently in post-production.
The two well-known figures met on the circuit as budding actors in their youth.
“Since I have started to raise money literally hundreds of people have helped me – I don’t think anyone has said no – and it has shown me that people want to help if they can,” Eddie added.
“When you see the benefits of what you are doing it is great.
“I am making up for some of the bad things I have done in my life – I have to do a lot of good.”
Eddie is not really sure what you can do with an MBE but said hopefully it will help him do more for good causes.
“Is it like being a doctor at a restaurant and getting a table?” he said.
“What does it mean?
“I just hope it will open doors and I can raise more money and awareness for charity.”