Actor Tom Baker has been honoured by King Charles with a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award for services to television.

The 90-year-old actor was chosen along with other recipients as part of the New Year Honours.

Baker is best known for his portrayal of the fourth incarnation of the Doctor for seven series of the science fiction television programme Doctor Who from 1974 to 1981, the longest period of time an actor has portrayed the role.

Among his many acting roles post Doctor Who, Baker portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the BBC miniseries The Hound of the Baskervilles and Puddleglum the Marsh-wiggle in the BBC adaptation of C. S. Lewis’ The Silver Chair. Baker also reprised his Fourth Doctor role for several audio adventures and wrote a Fourth Doctor novel.

The Order of the British Empire is a biannual ward created in 1917 by King George V to honour ordinary people whose achievements previously went unrecognised.

Baker will be presented his MBE award by the King or one of his counsellors of state at a ceremony in 2025.