He is Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to drama and holds an Honorary Fellowship of University of Chichester for excellence in the performing arts as well as an Honorary Degree from the University of Kent. He also holds the honourable Freedom of the City of London (which gives him the right to drive sheep over London Bridge and to carry a sword).

He’s been nominated seven times with the prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards for his stage performances in Amadeus, Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Oleanna, Separation, The Merchant of Venice, Once in a Lifetime and All My Sons and was also nominated with a Tony Award for Amadeus on Broadway. He has received several Variety Club Awards, most recently for his role as Cardinal Benelli in The Last Confession.