ACTOR Idris Elba led the march of entertainment royalty yesterday as he was knighted in the King’s New Year Honours List.
The Luther and The Wire star, 53, and anti-knife crime activist has been recognised for his charity work through his Elba Hope Foundation.
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 the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.”
He is honoured alongside Dancing on Ice legends Jayne Torvill, 68, and Christopher Dean, 65, who are made a Dame and a Sir.
The 1984 Olympic gold medallists, who are recognised for services to ice skating and voluntary service, described the honour as “wonderful and humbling”.
The Kumars at No42 sitcom star Meera Syal, 64, is made a Dame for services to literature, drama and charity.
Comedy sitcom writer Roy Clarke, 95, the man behind Last of the Summer Wine and Keeping Up Appearances, is knighted.
Matt Lucas is made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
The former Little Britain star, 51, said: “I’m still in shock. I thought it was a prank!”
Richard Osman, 55, the former co-host of BBC One’s Pointless, gets the honour for services to literature.
The Thursday Murder Club author said he was “absolutely thrilled”.
Match of the Day host Gabby Logan, 52, broadcaster Clive Tyldesley, 71, and Harry Potter star Warwick Davis, 55, also get OBEs.
Singer Ellie Goulding, 38, a UN global environmental ambassador, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to biodiversity and the climate.
Paul Elliott, 78, the surviving half of comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers, gets the same gong.
Wicked leading lady Cynthia Erivo, 38, Location, Location, Location host Phil Spencer, 56, former Corrie star Sally Lindsay, 52, and comedian and ex-Strictly winner Bill Bailey, 60, also get MBEs.
In total 1,157 people are recognised in the list, which has a focus on community champions.
Betty Brown, 92, thought to be the oldest Post Office Horizon IT scandal victim, is made an OBE for services to justice for campaigning for sub-postmasters.
Dave Gurney gets an MBE for services to cinema and heritage for his work heading the laboratory at the British Film Institute’s National Archive in Hertfordshire.
D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, 101, is awarded a British Empire Medal for his school talks on Holocaust remembrance.
He is one of four centenarians recognised.
The oldest is John Hearn, 102, from Northumberland, who gets a British Empire Medal for services to judo.
The youngest honoured is Toby Roberts, 20, the first Brit to win an Olympics sport climbing gold in Paris 2024. He is made an MBE.
For the first time, two sets of twins are honoured.
Volunteer first responders Ryan and Dean Appleton, from Colchester, Essex, get BEMs for services to the community.
Sonia Dixon and Adrienne Campbell, VIP liaison officers at London Heathrow Airport, are awarded BEMs for services to aviation.
A number of couples have also been recognised, including husband and wife foster carers Susan and David Cook, who have looked after 50 children since 2006. Both become MBEs.
PM Sir Keir Starmer said: “This year’s list celebrates the very best of Britain, people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.”
LIONESS GONGS SCORED
ENGLAND’S Lionesses have bagged a haul of gongs in the King’s New Year Honours List.
Defender Leah Williamson, 28, who captained the winning team at the Euros this summer in Spain, is made a CBE.
Teammates Alex Greenwood, 32, Georgia Stanway, 26, Ella Toone, 26, and Keira Walsh, 28, receive MBEs for services to Association Football.
Dutch manager Sarina Weigman, 56, who also steered the team to the World Cup final in 2023, has been awarded an honorary damehood.
Last night she said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude. This title is a reflection of my exceptional team of players and staff.”
England women’s rugby union team have also been recognised for their victory at the 2025 World Cup in England.
Captain Zoe Aldcroft, 29, and flanker Marlie Packer, 36, are made OBEs, along with head coach John Mitchell, 36.
Teammates Megan Jones, 41, Sadia Kabeya, 23, and Ellie Kildunne, 26, are recognised with MBEs.
Zoe called the honour a “special privilege”, adding: “As Red Roses, our aim is always to inspire. We hope we will continue to do so in 2026 and make people all over the country incredibly proud.”
Ex-marathon star Paula Radcliffe, 52, was also honoured with an OBE.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “You’ve inspired girls and boys everywhere to get into sport.”
