Alan Cummings Amazed That Queen Elizabeth Is "A Friend Of The Gays"

Alan Cummings is amazed Britain's Queen Elizabeth is "a friend of the gays." The 44-year-old actor was shocked to receive an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his work as a gay rights activist, as well as for his services to the arts, but was thrilled with the accolade.

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He said: "I didn't know the queen was such a friend of the gays."

Alan received the award in the queen's birthday honors list in June. Others famous faces to be honored included chef Delia Smith who received a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), golfer Nick Faldo who was knighted and "Dracula" actor Christopher Lee who also got a knighthood.

The outspoken star has also revealed his shock at the death of his friend Natasha Richardson, who died after being involved in a skiing accident earlier this year.

He told The Stage newspaper: "The thing you remember about someone is really interesting - I remember her laughing like a drain, with this throaty laugh."

"I realized after Natasha's death that the most positive thing to learn from it was to seize the day - look at what could happen o someone who was so full of life, then boom, it's over."