He has had four of his books hit #1 in the UK and five more reach the Top 5. He was awarded an Honorary Rose for lifetime achievement at the Rose d’Or festival in 2007. As an actor Ben appeared in the TV series There’s Nothing to Worry About!, Alfresco, and The Young Ones. He also won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Series for Blackadder Goes Forth in 1990. In November 2014 Elton verbally attacked Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull over issues of Tony Abbott’s G20 speech, climate change, and leadership.