New Year Honours list revealed – with ‘out the blue’ knighthood for Wetherspoon boss

UK

World Cup hero Mary Earps and Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke are among the big names on the latest New Year Honours list.

Earps, who earlier this month bagged the Sports’ Personality Of The Year trophy, becomes an MBE for services to football after playing in goal for England’s World Cup campaign, where they finished runners-up.

Her colleagues Millie Bright and Lauren Hemp also get honours – an OBE and MBE respectively.

Emilia Clarke, alongside her mother, gets an MBE after they set up charity SameYou, which works to help people recover from brain injuries after the actress survived two brain haemorrhages.

Paul Hollywood also earns an MBE for his work in baking and broadcasting.

Michael Eavis, the founder of Glastonbury Festival, will be knighted for services to charity and music. He is listed under his full name, Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis.

In an interview for the official Glastonbury website, Eavis said: “I think William might do the ceremony.

“He’s made a few mentions of wanting to come to the festival.

“So I’ll probably take a couple of tickets in my pocket!”

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Elsewhere, Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin will be knighted while cricketer Stuart Broad gets a CBE following his retirement. X-Factor winner Leona Lewis becomes an OBE while author Kate Mosse will be given an CBE.

“It had never been expected, so it came out the blue,” Mr Martin told the PA news agency.

“I always think that, in the pub world, it is a team effort – even if you’ve just got one pub there are many people involved.

“I think it’s the Wetherspoon colleagues and customers who are getting the award really, that’s the way I look at it. I’m just the lucky recipient.”

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The Royal Family’s very eventful 2023

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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will be made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) for his contribution to the coronation in May.

An RVO is the King’s personal gift, rather than that of Downing Street, and awarded to those who have served the Crown in a personal way.

Film director Sir Ridley Scott, who has made films such as Alien and Gladiator, is made a Knight Grand Cross, which upgrades his previous knighthood, while Dame Shirley Bassey becomes the 64th living member of the order of Companion of Honour – which can only have 65 living members at one time.

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Ridley Scott on Gladiator 2

Rugby league icons Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield will both become CBEs for their services to motor neurone disease.

Burrow played the sport internationally and won eight Super League titles before being diagnosed with MNS at the age of 37, while former teammate Sinfield ran seven ultramarathons in December to raise more than £1m for those affected by the condition.

Former Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling is also recognised with an MBE for his work with a prostate cancer charity.

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In the world of politics, former home secretary Sajid Javid gets a knighthood, while Labour’s Margaret Beckett gets her damehood upgraded to a Dame Grand Cross.

Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, is made a Dame Commander.

Former Conservative minister Karen Bradley is also a Dame Commander, while colleague David Davis has been given a knighthood in the Order of Bath. Fellow ex-ministers Dr Liam Fox and Jeremy Quin have been given knighthoods as well – all on the recommendation of Rishi Sunak.

Former head of Sky News John Ryley is being made an OBE for his contribution to journalism.

He said: “It means a great deal. I think this award, if I’m honest, recognises the contribution that many people have made working with me over the years, young and old.

“Television news is a collaborative endeavour and it recognises the big, big contributions others have made to the endeavour.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The New Year’s Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion.

“To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all.”

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