Idris Elba knighted as Sarina Wiegman and Lionesses lead New Year Honours
In the New Year Honours, actor Idris Elba has been knighted and England women's football coach Sarina Wiegman has been named an honorary dame. Figure skating pair Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are honoured with a damehood and knighthood respectively, while the Red Roses are likewise honoured for winning the prestigious international rugby union World Cup. There are 1,157 recipients on this year's list, with Wiegman and several of her Lionesses honoured after their success in the European Championships last summer. Leah Williamson, England's captain and two-time European champion, has been named a CBE, while Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood, and Georgia Stanway have all been given MBEsto for their contributions to the success
Meera Syal, a comedy actor and writer, as well as OBEs for actor Warwick Davis and sports broadcaster Gabby Logan are among the celebrities in the world of entertainment. Alice Coote, a mezzo-soprano, has been awarded a CBE. Richard Osman, author and television presenter, has been lauded for his contributions, as has comedian Matt Lucas and Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo. Betty Brown, who has campaigned against unlawful prosecutions by the Post Office, has been named an OBE.
Television and film
Sir Idris Elbabecomes in honor of his charity work with young people. He founded the Elba Hope Foundation alongside his wife Sabrina, a UK, American, and Africa charity that gives grants to organizations throughout the UK, the United States, and South Africa. When he was given a £1,500 grant to attend the National Youth Music Theatre, he became a member of the Prince's Trustas as a child. Since then, he has risen to fame in TV show The Wire and began a film career, with roles in Beasts of No Nation and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom among others.
Sir Idris said. Meera Syal, now Dame Meera, was part of the team that created sketch show Goodness Gracious Me, which explored British Asian history, and she appeared in The Kumars at No. 1. 42. She has been praised for her contributions to drama, literature, and charity, as well as writing several books and plays. The last of the Summer Wine and Open All Hours writerRoy Clarkeis was knighted, while actor and host Warwick Daviss said of his OBE:I am given this award on behalf of the many young people whose talents, aspiration, and tenacity have fueled the Elba Hope Foundation's work,
This is the best thing that's ever happened to meand I've been in Star Wars. "Matt Lucasand quiz show host-turned-authorRichard Osmanare received an OBE, while comedianBill Bailey, actorSally Lindsayandchildren's television actress The match of the Day hostsGabby Loganand football commentatorClive Tyldesleyare has been named OBEs by Marcus is a television chefMarcuz Wareingand is located in Ware, the United States.
Musicians and the arts
Cynthia Erivois, an actor and singer, has been named an MBE, as has singerEllie Goulding, who has been lauded for her work as an environmental Eve Graham, a Scottish singer who was a meMBEr of the New Seekers, has since been awarded an MBE. Erivo, who appeared in Wicked and its 2025 sequel Wicket: For Good, said it was "an honor I might never have imagined. With conductorRichard Farnes, a former music director of Opera North, and opera singerAlice Cooteand composerMax Richter, there is a strong classical component to this year's list. Richter is known for composing soundtracks for film and television, including Waltz with Bashir and Chloe Zhao's Hamnet, which has been nominated for an Academy Award. Andrew McMillanis, a poet, was awarded an MBE for services to literature.
Sports personalities
Wiegmanrece is awarded an honorary for guiding the Lionesses to their second consecutive Euros title, becoming the first England football team to win a major trophy on foreign soil. Foreigners can be honoured knighthoods or damehoods, but not dubbed, and they are unable to use the term Sir or Dame.
Wiegman, a Dutch immigrant, said.I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I've felt when I first arrived in England,
The Lionesses are not the only English team to be lauded for their achievement on the international stage. LockZoe Aldcroft, flankerMarlie Packerand head coachJohn Mitchellare all OBEs following the success of the Red Roses at the Women's Rugby World Cup Megan Jones,Sadia KabeyaandEllie Kildunneare appointed MBEs. TorvillandDean, the ice skaters, later known as Dame Jayne and Sir Christopher, earned gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics in one of the most watched television performances in the United Kingdom ever. They are honoured for their contributions to ice skating and voluntary programs. The pair competed together for the final time in Dancing on Ice this year.I deeply thank the fans for their continued support
Dame Jayne said, and then receiving this award at the end of the year, it's just finished everything. It's perfect.It was a big thing for us to plan our future before retirement,
We're really humbled by it,Sir Christopher said. Paula Radcliffebecomes an OBE, while Tottenham Hotspur chairmanDaniel Levyis has been named a CBE for his service to charity and the community. Former Welsh rugby playerJonathan Daviesisis also received a CBE for his service as president of the Velindre Cancer Care Trust.
Politicians
There are several political figures on the list, including former Labour ministerAnneliese Doddsmade a dame. Former Labour MPsJonathan Ashworth andTristram Hunt are among the candidates for the former Labour MP's. Sir Tristram, a historian, is the curator of the Victoria and Albert Museum and is honoured for his contributions to the sector. Mr Ashworth has been given a CBE for his charitable efforts on behalf of the children of alcoholics in the United Kingdom's behemoth. It was never something I aspired,
he said.
Adam Ingram, a minister under Sir Tony Blair, will be knighted, while former Welsh Labour MP Chris Ruane has been given an OBE. Kate Garveyis, Sir Tony's former diary secretary, was given an OBE.Speaking up for the thousands of children who live in silence is something that is very important to me.
Campaigners
The honors list includes not only recognizing individuals in the public eye, but also highlights the unsung achievements of individuals who make significant contributions to their local communities, charities, and fields such as education and healthcare. Betty Brown, the longest living survivor of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, has been given an OBE for her role in the campaign against unlawful prosecutions. She said she would receive the award in honor of the other subpostmasters. Jeff Edwards, a young eight-year-old boy who died on a hillside and engulfed his school and surrounding areas, killing 116 children and 28 adults, has been recalled. B. S. Maths teacherBobby Seagullis was given an MBE for his work advocating for public libraries, which was greatly aided.
he said to the BBC how he kept his news a mystery. But here's the thing: this deserves more than a thumbs up emoji.I wondered about, should I tell my family on WhatsApp?
Ellen Roome, a mother who has lobbied for legislative changes to allow parents access to their children's social media pages following her son Jools Sweeney's death in 2022, he was also named an MBE. Mervyn Kersh, a British Army veteran of the Normandy landings and the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, has been given the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his contributions to Holocaust recall and education. Mr Kersh has regularly told schoolchildren about his experiences, but he has warned of increasing antisemitism in the United Kingdom:I would tell each person in turn. Emma, my little niece, and I told her I've got an MBE and she's like, 'Uncle Bob, MBE. Uncle, Bob, MBE.
Lydia Tischleris, a Holocaust survivor and child psychologist, has been awarded an MBE for services to Holocaust remembr Sarah Anderson, the founder of the Listening Place mental health charity, has been chastised for her work in suicide prevention. 102-year-old John Hearn, who has been a member of judo and the local community in north-east England, is the oldest on the list. Toby Roberts, 20, an Olympic gold medal-winning sports cliMBEr who has been given an MBE, is the youngest winner. Get all the headlines you need to start the day with our flagship newsletter. Sign up here.I'm shocked is the antisexism that I see everywhere, hear everywhere, or read.
