Thank you!

What an amazing year it has been!

It started off in January with John Boyega receiving the Golden Globe for playing me in the Small Axe series, specifically the third episode Red White and Blue. It can still be seen on BBC iPlayer or Amazon Prime, so please check it out and the other episodes under the amazing directorship of Steve McQueen, who also received numerous awards together with his amazing cast and crew.

Obviously anyone having their life story shown all over the world is a life changing experience and, mine is no exception both personally and professionally. I also saw my autobiography Closing Ranks reaching so many extra organisations, communities and individuals across the world that was totally unforeseen. It’s been very humbling and I’m eternally grateful for those of you who have bought it, read it and/ or listened to it.

The cherry on the cake was receiving a CRT award for best biography, shortly before the paperback version was launched in September. So far the sales have been totally beyond my expectations, including the reviews on various social media platforms, in the print and on TV.

I’ve also taken the time to maintain my charity work with Voyage Youth and other grassroots organisations, plus going into schools and other educational establishments.

I have also enjoyed the invitations to significant speaking engagements with The Army, NHS, Bar Council to name but a few; in addition to organisations in the corporate and voluntary sector. I was also pleased to take part in more in-person conversations with great audiences, especially when I was interviewed by Afua Hirsh at the Conduit club in Covent Garden which you can now watch online.

To finish the year off in the way it began, I was privileged to be one of 17 contributors to the Black British Lives Matter book, edited by Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder, published by Faber and Faber in November. What a joy it has been collaborating with such a unique group of talented authors, speaking truth to power in their personal and professional perspectives.

All of these breakthroughs have been with the backdrop of Covid-19 and I approach 2022 with great anticipation for similar opportunities despite the challenges of the pandemic. However, I realise there are many other people who are not so fortunate during these challenging times and my best wishes go out to them.

Enjoy the Christmas festivities and I hope your New Year is more fruitful, peaceful and healthy.