Singers, TV stars, and artists are among those to have been recognised by King Charles III in his latest Birthday Honours. The Monarch is again honouring those who have made a difference in many different areas of the country.
Honours including MBEs, OBEs, and CBEs will be handed out to everyone from local community heroes and fundraising champions to stars of the stage and screen. And as well as the everyday people honoured for their services to the country, the Honours list also recognises some famous faces who have done the same.
Among the famous faces on the King's Birthday Honours list for 2024 is Imelda Staunton. The Crown actress said she was “thrilled” to be made a dame for her services to drama and charity.
She said: "I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses, all the great dames, who have led the way for so many of us."
Also in the showbiz world, Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden and the BBC dance show's former winner and actress Rose Ayling-Ellis were among the showbiz names to be made MBEs.
Professional dancer Amy, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 19, said being made an MBE for raising awareness of inflammatory bowel disease was "beyond my wildest dreams". Amy, an ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis UK, said: “I accept it on behalf of all those who live with Crohn’s disease, and will continue campaigning to raise awareness for and research into this terrible chronic illness."
Rose, meanwhile, first found fame on EastEnders but it was a showstopping routine on Strictly that won her a Bafta and made her a household name. The first deaf contestant to ever take part in the show, she won the 2022 series and legions of new fans after a routine in which the music paused and she and partner Giovanni Pernice danced in silence as a tribute to the deaf community.
The emotional and touching dance got the nation talking about the experience of deafness, helped the duo bag the glitterball trophy and won the must-see moment award at the Baftas. Born deaf, Rose, 29, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for voluntary services to the deaf community.
Countdown star Susie Dent has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to literature and to language as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list.
The Lexicographer, etymologist and author, 59,who appears in Countdown’s Dictionary Corner, said she would celebrate her honour “on behalf of word lovers everywhere”.
Former Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati has become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the cultural industries.
Born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1966, Gulati is most known for her roles as Sunita in ITV soap Coronation Street and Anita in BBC comedy show Dinnerladies. Her theatre credits include the international tour of Mamma Mia! in 2015, the touring UK production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in 2018, and Richard II at The Globe, in 2019.
British singer Rebecca Ferguson first found fame on The X Factor but has since become an activist in the music industry. The Liverpool-born performer, who was a runner-up on the ITV series in 2010, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to the music industry.
Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon has said he is “beyond thrilled and surprised” to be made an MBE. The British singer, 65, has become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list for services to music and charity.
Boney M star Liz Mitchell has said being made an MBE “feels like a message from above” because her late father was proud to share the same honour. The original lead singer of disco group Boney M has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list for her services to music and to charity.
The 71-year-old told the PA news agency that her late father Norman Mitchell, who was part of the Windrush generation, was “so proud” of becoming an MBE in 2014 for his charitable work. It’s pretty amazing that it is happening now,” she told PA of her own honour.
"I got the news actually after the service (for her father). I think if I’d gotten it before, I might have made mention of it because my dad was so proud of his MBE. It was a dream for him, come true. He loved the Queen so much."
Founding member of Manchester-based band M People, as well as a successful solo artist, Heather Small has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for her voluntary and charitable services.
Small became one of the most recognisable voices of the 90s British music scene, with hits including Moving On Up, Search For The Hero and Proud.
Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera has become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The 73-year-old English songwriter and record producer was mentioned in the King’s Birthday Honours List for his services to music.
His most well known band, including singer Bryan Ferry, oboist Andy Mackay and drummer Paul Thompson, is famed for hits like Virginia Plain and Love is The Drug and topped the singles charts just once with a cover of John Lennon’s Jealous Guy.
In the sporting world, cyclist Mark Cavendish has been knighted. The 39-year-old from the Isle of Man has won a joint record 34 Tour de France stages and won the world road race title in 2011, the same year he was made an MBE. He was also a silver medallist in the omnium at the 2016 Olympics.
Mark said: “I’m truly humbled to be honoured by His Majesty The King. It’s always been the biggest privilege to represent my country, and seeing cycling as the sport, pastime and mode of transport I’ve given my life to, grow in Great Britain during the span of my career has given me joy and pride beyond words. I’m truly thankful to everybody that has lived this journey with me.”
Former Scotland and Liverpool star Graeme Souness says he is “delighted and humbled” to have been made a CBE in the King’s birthday honours.
Souness is a well-known figure in football, having represented his country at three World Cups and won five league titles and three European Cups with the Reds, but the honour also recognises his service and support to charity.
Souness is a vice-president of DEBRA UK, which refers to itself as ‘The Butterfly Skin Charity’. DEBRA raises awareness of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a group of incredibly painful genetic skin blistering conditions that cause the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch causing excruciating pain, and unbearable itch.
He was first introduced to the charity in 2019 and became determined to make a difference to improve the lives of people living with EB, including Isla Grist who has since become Souness’ friend.
Ali McCoist is made an OBE for services to football and broadcasting. Other star names from the world of sport to be honoured are Chris Boardman, who won gold in the men’s individual pursuit cycling at the 1992 Olympics, who becomes a CBE, while golfer Sandy Lyle and former England cricketer Katherine Sciver-Brunt are made OBEs.
Karen Carney, the former England football international who is leading efforts to reform the women’s game at elite and grassroots level, becomes an OBE.
British artist Tracey Emin has said that being made a dame is “another brilliant surprise” in her life. The artist, known for her headline-grabbing 90s works Everyone I Have Ever Slept With and My Bed, has been given a damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours list for her services to art.
