Health bosses leading the charge against Covid, sporting heroes and film stars are among those recognised for outstanding achievements in the New Year Honours list 2021.
England’s chief medical officer (CMO), Professor Chris Whitty, has been given a knighthood in honour of his relentless hard work during the pandemic.
Deputy CMO, Jonathan Van-Tam, and Wales’ and Scotland’s CMOs, Frank Atherton and Dr Gregor Smith, have also been made Sirs, while Northern Ireland’s CMO Dr Michael McBride was previously knighted in The Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours.
Damehoods have been announced for UK Health Security Agency chief Dr Jenny Harries, and Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after a year where new variants were battled off and more than 130 million vaccinations were delivered.
The Government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, who was originally knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours list, has been elevated to a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.
He said he is ‘really pleased to see so many outstanding scientists and engineers recognised in this year’s honours, including those that have been working tirelessly as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic’.
Nearly one in five (19%) of the honours are for Covid-related service.
The Queen also knighted former prime minister Tony Blair with the highest possible ranking.
The longest-serving Labour PM said it was an ‘immense honour’ to have been made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry, to which appointments are in the Queen’s gift without advice from the Government.
Reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu is only 19 years old, but she can add another title to the list as she becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
The British number one, who was voted the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, said she feels ‘immensely proud and grateful’.
Team GB’s Olympians and Paralympians who took gold in Tokyo have also been honoured for their stunning accomplishments – including cyclists Jason and Laura Kenny, who are believed to be the first married couple to be recognised on the same honours list.
Laura has been made a dame after becoming the most successful British female athlete in Olympic history.
The other half of the power couple, Jason, now has a knighthood after his wins in Tokyo made him Great Britain’s most decorated Olympian.
Diver Tom Daley, who won gold in the 10m synchro, will be made an OBE, while his partner, Matty Lee, will be made an MBE.
Strictly Come Dancing star Adam Peaty has scooped an OBE, while there is an MBE for Tom Dean after both swimmers won Olympic gold.
Seven-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft has been made OBE after winning two golds in wheelchair racing, as well as campaigning to encourage more disabled children to take up sports in school.
None of England’s Euro 2020 stars have been included – with the exception of assistant manager Steve Holland – after they were beaten by Italy in a nail-biting finale.
James Bond star Daniel Craig has been handed a special diplomatic honour after taking on the role of 007 in five films, including his final outing in No Time To Die.
The departing secret agent has been made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George – which is styled CMG and was also conferred on the fictional spy in the film series and Ian Fleming’s books.
Meanwhile, Barbara Broccoli, who controls the Bond franchise with her half-brother Michael G. Wilson, will also be made a CBE.
An ‘astonished’ Joanna Lumley said she had received ‘the kindest and most beautiful present imaginable’ after being given a damehood.
Also honoured for her service to drama, entertainment and art is Vanessa Redgrave who is set to be made a dame.
Kate Garraway has been made an MBE in the New Year Honours after documenting her husband Derek Draper’s battle with coronavirus.
Spice Girl Mel B has also been given an MBE, while Diversity member Ashley Banjo and comedian Adam Hills join her.
Former Labour MP Frank Field, now a crossbench peer, has been made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his public and political service.
On the list, 15.1% of recipients are from an ethnic minority background, slightly higher than the line-up in June. Just 35.9% of recipients at CBE level and above are women.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘These recipients have inspired and entertained us and given so much to their communities in the UK or in many cases around the world.
‘The honours are an opportunity for us to thank them, as a country, for their dedication and outstanding contribution.’
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