ALAN Cumming has returned his OBE over "misgivings" surrounding the "toxicity" of the British Empire.

The Scottish star received the award in 2009 for his activism on equal rights for the gay and lesbian communities in America.

But following conversations around the history of the British Empire, and its "exploitation of indigenous peoples" Cumming decided to hand the honour back.

In an Instagram post to mark his 58th birthday on Friday, the Hollywood actor said he began to "open my eyes" on the monarchy and Britain's empire following the death of the Queen.

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He told his 479,000 followers: "I returned my OBE. Fourteen years ago, I was incredibly grateful to receive it in the 2009 Queen’s birthday honours list, for it was awarded not just for my job as an actor but ‘for activism for equal rights for the gay and lesbian community, USA’.

"Back then the Defence of Marriage Act ensured that same sex couples couldn’t get married or enjoy the same basic legal rights as straight people, and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ensured that openly gay, lesbian or bisexual people were barred from serving in the military."

Cumming said at the time he was honoured to be receiving the award for his work on equality, which he said made him "proud to be British".

But the Yesser said his views started to change after the Queen passed away last year.

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He continued: "The Queen’s death and the ensuing conversations about the role of monarchy and especially the way the British Empire profited at the expense (and death) of indigenous peoples across the world really opened my eyes.

"Also, thankfully, times and laws in the US have changed, and the great good the award brought to the LGBTQ+ cause back in 2009 is now less potent than the misgivings I have being associated with the toxicity of empire (OBE stands for Officer of the British Empire).

"So I returned my award, explained my reasons and reiterated my great gratitude for being given it in the first place.

I’m now back to being plain old Alan Cumming again. Happy birthday to me!"