Collins becomes a dame for charity work

The 81-year-old, a devoted monarchist, said she was “deeply honoured” to receive the recognition for services to charity.

She said: “It is humbling to receive this level of recognition from my Queen and country, and I am thrilled and truly grateful.”

In details shared by the Cabinet Office, Collins has used her global profile as a strong campaign base to make a “very substantial, tireless and sustained contribution” to charity.

The star has been a regular on stage and screen for more than half a century, but is probably best known for her portrayal of Alexis in Dynasty. The glamorous US soap opera, with its lavish costumes complete with startling shoulder pads and big bouffant hairstyles, ran for most of the 1980s and made Collins a star all over again.

She was born to a showbusiness family - her mother was a dancer and her father an agent - in London and enjoyed early success in the British film industry before heading to Hollywood.

Collins has worked steadily for decades with occasional gaps for marriage - she is currently with her fifth husband - and bringing up her family.

Notable roles include featuring in two X-rated bonkbusters, The Stud and The Bitch, based on racy books by her sister Jackie.

Film appearances include a remake of The Big Sleep starring Robert Mitchum and she has featured in TV shows including Star Trek, The Man From U.N.C.L.E and more recently ITV sitcom Benidorm.

Collins has used her fame to support a variety of good causes including the NSPCC and the Shooting Star Chase children’s hospice, offering much too in personal time and donations to charities close to her heart.