Idris Elba unveils Mobo paving stone at college where he ‘got to dream bigger'
On Friday, Elba, 52, who hails from Hackney, and is most known for his acting roles in BBC drama Luther and US crime series The Wire, returned to Barking and Dagenham College, which he attended as a young person.
His stone forms part of the Paving The Way award, issued by the Mobo organisation, which supports talent in music, film and TV and holds an annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in black music and culture.
The award celebrates cultural pioneers who have made a lasting impact in the arts, with Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and comedian Sir Lenny Henry among the recipients.
The award winners are asked to choose a location for the stone that holds a deep personal meaning, with Elba choosing the college where he studied performing arts.
The event, which included a Q&A with the students, took place inside the college's Idris Elba Studio — a professional film and TV facility named in his honour.
Asked by a student if he had ever imagined how successful he would become, Elba said: 'I mean, yes, I think to be here in the first place, you're already imagining what the future can be.
'And so I was always thinking about what success might look like.
'I didn't know how to get there, but I could see it. I could see it on the silver screen. I could see it in my idols, Eddie Murphy, I saw it everywhere.
'But the truth is, what kept me grounded, what kept me focused (as a student) is being in a facility where I get to fall down, get up, fall down, as many times as I want, and I literally found this place, we all did, as a haven, a safe space to actually, not only imagine yourself being a movie star, but try it and fail, and try it, and fail.
'The thing about dreaming is that it happens on a 24-hour cycle.
'So every day I got to come back here, I got to dream bigger. I got to, definitely learn and sharpen how I was going to get there, and that's really important.'
Elba unveiled the stone alongside Mobo Awards founder and chief executive Kanya King.
It reads: 'Mobo. Paving the way for the next generation. Idris Elba. 'Don't get labelled, labels are for cans'.'
Alongside his acting career the film and TV star performs as a DJ and has campaigned against knife crime.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
26 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Former EastEnders star Anita Dobson ‘utterly thrilled' after being made OBE
The 76-year old London-born actress, best known for playing Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts on the BBC soap, was recognised for services to charitable fundraising and philanthropy. Dobson is a patron for several charities including Thames Hospice and Focus Foundation, which provides support for grassroots charities and local organisations. Speaking about the OBE, she told the PA news agency: 'I'm utterly thrilled and completely honoured and a bit bowled over and very excited. And all my friends have been texting and sending support. It's just been wonderful. It's very moving and I'm thrilled. 'It's not like a little one, where a few of people in the world know – everybody knows. And so it feels like you you're having a big hug. 'My face is so stretched you can't believe it. This is a very happy day and I just feel very lucky and people have just been texting in and being so supportive and so lovely. 'I hope everybody that's got an honour from the honours list has the same thing happening to them, that lots of people are making them feel special. Because I sure am.' The actress is an ambassador for the Sick Children's Trust and a former president of Phab, a charity that helps children and adults with and without disabilities to feel independent and confident. Speaking about her motivation to get involved with charities, she said: 'I think it's really important to, particularly in my industry, to pass things on. To pass anything that you've learned along the way, or little hints you can give on to the next generation. 'I've always felt like that you should help people. And there's a lot of people with nothing now, with no hope, no homes to live in, not much food, not much clothing. So if you've got a lot, then it doesn't hurt, does it, to give a bit of it away and share it and make people's lives a little bit better, really? 'I sort of work on a very kind of basic level. I just think, if someone's in trouble, you help them. 'I had nothing when I was younger, and it's been the hard slog getting to anywheresville, and look where I am now. It's a good feeling to pass things on. 'I do lots of phoners where people ring in and they're in trouble and maybe you can't solve their problems, but you can sure as hell help them feel heard and that they matter, and that there is somebody in the world who has got the time to listen to them and maybe give them some advice that might point them in the right direction, or introduce them to somebody else who can help them in a better way than you can.' Dobson recently reprised her role as Angie for EastEnders' 40th anniversary, appearing in the Queen Vic as a ghost while her adopted daughter, Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, was seen fighting for her life after an explosion in the pub. The shock return won the series the scene of the year gong at the 2025 British Soap Awards. She also played mysterious character Mrs Flood in the long-running BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, having joined the series on Christmas Day 2023. During Ncuti Gatwa's second season as the Time Lord, it was revealed that Mrs Flood was a disguised incarnation of the Rani, a renegade Time Lady and villain. She added: 'I had a lovely message from Russell T Davis (Doctor Who Showrunner) this morning saying congratulations, which is lovely. We'll see what happens in the future, or whenever. 'I just have had a lovely time working for them. It's been a real blast. Russell said to me, come and have some fun. And I did. I just had fun. It was a real gift of a job.' The actress is also known for her stage performances and in 2003 was nominated for the best actress Olivier Award for her role in Bryony Lavery's Frozen at the National Theatre Cottesloe. Dobson was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing with professional Robin Windsor in 2011, but was voted off after nine weeks. Born in 1949 in the east end of London, the actress has been married to Queen guitarist Sir Brian May since 2000.
Daily Mirror
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders icon's return 'sealed' as fans 'solve' soap's clue in new trailer
EastEnders are dropping even more hints about Monday's big episode - and their latest video has fans convinced they've solved the 'blink and you'll miss it' clue EastEnders fans have been treated to yet another teaser video of Monday night's highly anticipated episode, with a "blink or you'll miss it" clue. Last night, it was announced that the BBC soap will simulcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.30pm, as EastEnders ' new executive producer Ben Wadey's first episode airs. That's not all, as Wadey told fans to prepare for something huge. He said: 'Next week marks the start of something big in Walford that we hope will get everyone talking, and it's only just the beginning. We've got twists, shocks, and plenty of drama lined up for a summer you don't want to miss.' The soap have now released a new trailer, which appears to show the POV of someone walking out the tube station. Fans are convinced it's a female, as they can hear the clicking of heels. The camera then goes down an empty street, as the soap teased there's a discrete clue in the video, with the caption: "Blink and you'll miss it! #EastEnders, 7:30pm, Monday 16th June on @BBCOn e and @BBCiPlayer." Some fans were already convinced it would be actress Michelle Ryan making her return as Zoe Slater, after reports emerged last month. Now, the clicking of the heels has solidified their theory that it's a female resident entering the Square. Zoe was last seen on the soap leaving Walford in 2005, via the tube, with fans convinced it hinted towards a return as she entered back where she left. However, one eagle-eyed fan has gone one step further - noticing a "secret sign" on the wall. A poster can be seen on the wall advertising a Jazz Festival in Walford, and one eagle-eyed fan noticed the letters Z-O-E placed in a diagonal line. "you can't convince me it's not Zoe with the tube entrance and all #eastenders," the caption of the screenshot read. A number of fans were in agreement, as another penned: "STOPPP THE POSTER!" Other fans noticed someone had written "Y2K" on a post. "And Y2K = 2000," wrote one. "The year the Slaters, including Zoe were introduced." It comes weeks after it was rumoured that Michelle would be reprising her role as Zoe. Speaking on Michelle's potential return to the soap last month, a source told The Sun: 'Bosses have repeatedly reached out to Michelle over the years, but the timing has never been quite right. 'People are still talking about her character, so it's a real coup to bring her back. She feels like now is the perfect moment — and there was an exciting script on the table.' A spokesperson for the BBC offered "no comment" when asked about the reports of Michelle's return.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
BBC Radio 2 legend Jo Whiley says her children will 'never be nepo babies' as they feel 'horrified' by the label
BBC Radio 2 legend Jo Whiley has claimed her children will 'never be nepo babies ' even though she has achieved huge career success over the years. The broadcaster, who shares India, Jude, Cassius, and Coco with band manager husband Steve Morton, has been a regular face of the station since 1993. And in addition to her very successful time in radio, Jo has also seen great success as a TV presenter. But despite all her success, she has claimed her four children will never be nepo babies as the label alone 'horrifies them', according to The Sun. She told the publication: 'My kids will never be nepo babies; they are very determined never ever to make it because I'm their mum. 'It really horrifies them - the thought that anybody would ever employ them because of what I do. 'So they're so determined to get jobs and do work on their own merits, and they will never take advantage of me at all.' Jo's confession comes after she achieved an impressive six-pack and toned arm muscles after turning to strength training at the gym to 'save' herself from debilitating menopause. She said: 'I really lost myself when the menopause hit. I cried all the time. I mean, I cry a lot anyway, but I cried all the time. I just felt very weak. 'And going to the gym and getting myself strong has played a really, really big part in helping me be the person I am today. It really saved me.' She flexed her toned torso on the cover of Women's Health in a red sports bra and underwear. The BBC Radio Two presenter also revealed that life was not so sex, drugs and rock'n'roll for her in the 90s as she suffered from anxiety when DJing on stage to large crowds. She said: 'I remember doing one gig and I was just so scared, I thought I can't go on like this. This is ridiculous. It's ruining my life because I'm just such a ball of anxiety. 'But then I realised how happy it was making people when I do these gigs and that was a game changer.' Posing in underwear, Jo took the opportunity to speak out against the culture of 'lad mags' - lifestyle magazines from the 90s and early noughties aimed at men and typically featuring a woman also in her underwear. The BBC presenter said: 'There was so much objectification and judgment of women and their bodies. 'It was a ludicrous time to be a woman, but I just kept my head down and weathered the storm.' 'I think [the current generation of girls] is still dealing with a lot. 'There are so many crises and so much pressure and so much to worry about in the world. [But] there's an army of [young] women who are fearless, absolutely fearless, and they take no prisoners, and they will be who they want to be. And it's much healthier.' Back in the summer on 2024 Jo breathed a sigh of relief as she completed another year presenting Glastonbury, after losing her voice. The presenter lost her voice just two hours into the five-day festival but continued to soldier through - despite BBC viewers expressing their concern. Jo took to Instagram to summarise her experience and praised the festival medic for helping her to continue in her role as Glastonbury host, which she has held since 1997. The Radio DJ wrote: 'Oh My!! Glastonbury 2024 was a bit of a rollercoaster. Such happiness to be there and to be bringing the festival to you all as part of the @bbcglasto team. 'Something I will never take for granted and I hope you enjoyed watching. So much joy and talent on those stages. The next week will be divided between watching all the performances on @bbciplayer and @ wimbledon. 'Losing my voice two hours after arriving at Glastonbury was NOT what I expected and made things a *bit* tricky & I'm so grateful to everyone for the advice, remedies and honey & lemon. Special mention to Jim the festival medic who came to my rescue yesterday mid radio show! 'Saw two of my kids for a quick squeeze which was heaven and have seen photographic evidence that the whole WM crew & friends covered most corners of the festival. Not so much looking forward to the post-Glasto blues and laundry… anyone else??!!! 'Special thanks to my Glasto radio & TV family for your hard work, love, support, producing, co-ordinating, driving, face painting & dressing up.
