Lionel Logue, The King's speech therapist, gets a green plaque

Lionel Logue, the unsung hero of The King’s Speech is being honoured with a green plaque from Westminster Council on Thursday, 19 May 2011. The plaque will be unveiled in honour of his lifetime’s work at 146 Harley Street where the now famous Logue practised from 1926 to 1952 soon after he arrived in England from his native Australia.

Toast of this year’s Academy and BAFTA Awards and now a mammoth hit on Blu-ray and DVD, The King’s Speech is the cinematic phenomenon of the year. Telling the tale of King George VI’s personal battle with a crippling speech impediment, the film has already taken its place in the public’s consciousness whilst also casting a light on a previously unexplored part of British history. In so doing, the film has also made icons out of its historical characters, especially the captivating and charismatic Logue.

Logue’s grandson, Mark Logue, will be present at the plaque’s unveiling, along with other members of the Logue family. He said: “I can’t think of a more fitting tribute, and one which my grandfather thoroughly deserves”.

Councillor Robert Davis, Mark Logue (Lionel Logue’s Grandson) and Hugo Vickers (historical advisor for the film)

Cllr Robert Davis, Westminster Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for the Built Environment said: “We are delighted to honour Lionel Logue’s outstanding commitment to his profession, which extended to helping people from all walks of life, regardless of their social status or background. We hope that the plaque will serve as a lasting tribute to his work in the heart of the capital”.

Also present at the unveiling will be Hugo Vickers, historical advisor on The King’s Speech, along with representatives from Momentum Pictures, the film’s distributor.

The plaque to Lionel Logue is the latest in a long line of green plaques designed to celebrate the remarkable endeavours of some of Westminster’s most famous former residents. To date, a total of 94 plaques have been erected by Westminster Council to commemorate particular buildings in the city that have become associated with people who have made lasting contributions to society.

A genuine landmark in British cinema, The King’s Speech has rightly captivated audiences everywhere and has already created a lasting legacy on DVD and Blu-ray. Packed with sumptuously detailed extra features and oozing with class, elegance and wit, The King’s Speech is one royal appointment fans will be queuing up to honour.

After the death of his father King George and the scandalous abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, Bertie, who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of the United Kingdom. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue.

The King's Speech is availble to buy on DVD and Blu-ray now.