Dukes patron Sarah Lancashire

Just weeks after The Dukes revealed that popular actress Sarah Lancashire had been appointed its first Honorary Patron she has added a touch of lustre to her new role by scooping a BAFTA.

Sarah, who rose to national television fame as Coronation Street barmaid Raquel in the 1990s, won her prestigious BAFTA on Sunday evening at a glittering award ceremony in London, picking up the award for her role in the BBC drama Last Tango in Halifax.<

Just over a fortnight ago, Sarah was a special guest at The Dukes for a Gala performance of its new production, The Life & Times of Mitchell & Kenyon where her position of Honorary Patron was announced.

Joe Sumsion, Director of The Dukes, said: “It’s fantastic to see Sarah’s success at the BAFTAs.  She’s brilliant in Last Tango in Halifax and it’s really no surprise that her work has been recognised in this way.

“We’re all really proud of her here at The Dukes – and the success of our first Honorary Patron certainly gives us plenty to live up to.”

Although she has been nominated for a BAFTA in the past, this is the first time Sarah has lifted one of the awards. She has appeared on the West End stage as well as in many popular television dramas including Where The Heart Is, Clocking Off, Rose and Maloney and The Paradise.

She’s currently appearing on our screens in the new BBC drama Happy Valley, which is written by Sally Wainwright who also scripted Last Tango in Halifax.

As The Dukes Honorary Patron, Sarah will be an ambassador for the theatre and attend special events such as the Gala Night. The Dukes is keeping its fingers crossed that her commitments will permit her to be the star attraction at its next major fundraising event, The Diamond Dinner, at The Midland in Morecambe next February.