28 Facts About Floella Benjamin

Floella Benjamin is known as presenter of children's programmes such as Play School, Play Away, Jamboree and Fast Forward.

On 28 June 2010, Lady Benjamin was introduced to the House of Lords as a life peer nominated by the Liberal Democrats.

Floella Benjamin was born on 23 September 1949 in Pointe-a-Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago, one of six siblings, with one older sister, three younger brothers and a younger sister.

Floella Benjamin has discussed the racist experiences she had when arriving in Britain as an immigrant, such as with neighbours and at school.

Floella Benjamin has appeared in Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Black Mikado and The Husband-In-Law, as well as several pantomimes.

Floella Benjamin appeared as Juniper in the first episode of Bergerac.

Floella Benjamin read two stories for the Story Teller magazine series.

Floella Benjamin was chief executive of Floella Benjamin Productions Ltd, which had produced television programmes since 1987 and was dissolved in 2014.

Floella Benjamin had done the voice work of "U" and "PG" Video Standards Council information clips.

Floella Benjamin narrated three "making-of" documentaries on the Doctor Who DVD boxed set The Black Guardian Trilogy.

Floella Benjamin was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2001 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting.

Floella Benjamin has won a Special Lifetime Achievement award from BAFTA.

Floella Benjamin was chairperson of the Women of the Year Lunch for five years and a Millennium Commissioner.

Floella Benjamin is president of the Elizabeth R Commonwealth Broadcasting Fund and a governor of the National Film and Television School.

Floella Benjamin was a governor of Dulwich College, where her mother once worked and her son had attended.

Floella Benjamin succeeded Lord Alexander of Weedon as Chancellor of the University of Exeter.

Floella Benjamin famously hugged graduates instead of traditionally shaking their hands during the graduation ceremonies.

Floella Benjamin stepped down from office in winter 2016 after ten years in the post.

Floella Benjamin was the first actress to become a peer in the House of Lords.

Floella Benjamin referenced her support of such charities as NSPCC, Childline, and Barnados, and their work to protect and support the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children.

Floella Benjamin was made a member of the Order of Merit in 2022.

Floella Benjamin was chosen to carry the Sceptre with Dove at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.

Floella Benjamin was presented with the BAFTA Fellowship award at the 70th British Academy Television Awards.

Floella Benjamin is an unstoppable force for good with a determination to create opportunities and positive role models for future generations that has seen her effect a tremendous amount of positive change over fifty years and counting.

Floella Benjamin is vice-president of NCH Action for Children and Barnardo's, and was in the NSPCC's Hall of Fame.

Floella Benjamin was a cultural ambassador for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Floella Benjamin is a patron of the charity Beating Bowel Cancer, having lost her mother to the disease in 2009.

In October 2015 in a talk to migrant children, Floella Benjamin said that dropping her accent was the key to her success and that migrant pupils should do the same to avoid racism and bullying.