By James Simons-
Idris Elba,(pictured) ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as England’s victorious women’s football and rugby teams, are among 1,157 people recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Elba, known for his roles in hit TV series “The Wire” and “Luther”, was knighted for services to young people, having founded an international charity that helps support disadvantaged youngsters-The Elba foundation.
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He said: “I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation.
“I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.”
Dame Jayne and Sir Christopher, who took home the Olympic gold at the 1984 Winter Games and saw success at the World, European and British Champions, are made a Dame and Sir for services to ice skating and to voluntary service. They said the honour is “wonderful and humbling at the same time”.
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This highly esteemed accolade is also extended to Paul Elliott, one half of the Chuckle Brothers, who is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), and Matt Lucas, half of the Little Britain comedy duo with David Walliams, who becomes an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
The Lionesses also show upon the list after their Euros win in the summer. Captain Leah Williamson is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), while Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone become MBEs.
The team’s Dutch manager, Sarina Wiegman, who has won the Euros twice with England and once with the Netherlands, is awarded an honorary damehood, the Cabinet Office said.
Wiegman said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honour. When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I’ve experienced from the English people. I deeply thank the fans for their support.”
There were also several community champions across the country are being celebrated in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours List today.
1157 recipients have been awarded from every part of the UK, with a particular focus this year on those who have gone above and beyond for their communities.
From foster carers to health workers, Lionesses to Red Roses as well as champions of the arts and supporters of young people, this year’s recipients reflect the values that bind our country together – decency, compassion and a belief in the common good – as we build a Britain we can all be proud of.
Recipients being honoured today are Idris Elba, who is being awarded a Knighthood for services to young people, Christopher Dean and Jayne Christensen (Torvill) are being awarded a Knighthood and Damehood respectively for their services to Ice Skating and Voluntary Service, and Cynthia Erivo, who is receiving an MBE for services to Music and Drama.
Among the community champions being honoured are Hilary Alba, who has been awarded an MBE for her services to Community Midwifery, and Ffion Mitchell-Langford, who has been awarded a BEM for her services to the Natural Marine Environment and to the communities in North Wales.
The oldest recipient this year is John Hearn, who at 102 receives a BEM for services to Judo and to the community in North East England. John is one of four centenarians on the New Year list.
Aged 20, the youngest recipient this year is Toby Roberts, the first ever British Olympic Gold Medal winning sport climber at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He is being awarded with an MBE.
Two sets of twins appeared on the list for the first time, Ryan Appleton and Dean Appleton from Colchester, who are both community first responders and are receiving BEMs for services to the community in the East of England.
Alongside them, are twins Sonia Dixon and Adrienne Campbell who work together as VIP liaison officers at London Heathrow Airport and receive their BEMs for services to the Aviation Industry
Members of England Women’s Rugby World Cup winning squad are an interesting inclusion in this year’s new year’s honour list, with Marlie Packer and Zoe Aldcroft becoming OBEs, along with coach John Mitchell. Their teammates Ellie Kildunne, Sadia Kabeya and Megan Jones are made MBEs after the Red Roses defeated Canada in the final in September.
Three-time London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe, who held the women’s marathon record for 16 years, is also to be made an OBE, according to reports.
Also made OBEs are presenter and author Richard Osman, actor Warwick Davis and broadcaster Gabby Logan. The Kumars At No 42 actress Meera Syal, 64, becomes a Dame.
Professor Polina Bayvel CBE FREng. Royal Society Research Professor and Professor of Optical Communications and Networks, University College London. For services to Engineering and to Optical Communications. (London, Greater London)
Professor Sonia Blandford. Professor of Social Mobility, Plymouth Marjon University. For services to Education. (Corsham, Wiltshire)
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
‘This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.
Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you – and congratulations to everyone recognised today.
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