The Right Honourable Baroness Benjamin OM* DBE** DL***
(born Floella Karen Yunies Benjamin: 23 September 1949)

Floella Benjamin is a Trinidadian British actress, singer, presenter, author and politician. She is known as presenter of children's programmes such as Play School, Play Away, Jamboree and Fast Forward. On 28 June 2010, Lady Benjamin was introduced to the House of Lords as a life peer nominated by the Liberal Democrats.

Benjamin's 20th book, a memoir titled 'Coming to England', about moving from Trinidad, was published in 1997 and is now used to teach modern history to young people. It was made into a television film by CBBC in 2005. Other books written by Benjamin include titles such as Floella's Fun Book, Why the Agouti Has No Tail, Caribbean Cookery and Snotty and the Rod of Power. Many of her titles are aimed at children and development.

Benjamin was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to broadcasting. In 2006, she was awarded the degree of honorary D.Litt. (Exon) by the University of Exeter for contributions to the life of the United Kingdom. In December 2008, she was appointed a Deputy lieutenant of Greater London. In the 2010 Dissolution Honours List, she was appointed a Liberal Democrat life peer, being created Baroness Benjamin, of Beckenham in the County of Kent on 26 June 2010. She was the first actress to become a peer in the House of Lords. In 2020 Benjamin was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to charity. In 2022 she was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) by the University of Chester. She was made a member of the Order of Merit in 2022 and was chosen to carry the Sceptre with Dove at the Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla.

*Order of Merit
**Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
***Deputy lieutenant