LONDON- This year’s UK New Year’s honours list recognised British cricketing and film-directing stars with a damehood for Olivia Newton-John and knighthoods for Steve McQueen, Sam Mendes and cricketer Clive Lloyd.
Ashes hero Ben Stokes, his captain Joe Root and footballer Jill Scott were also given honours.
For his services to music, singer Elton John who was knighted in 1998, became a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.
Olivia Newton-John is a 71-year-old British born Australian singer and actress best known for singing the duet to “You’re the One that I Want” with John Travolta on the 1978 musical “Grease”- one of the world’s best selling singles.
50-year-old Steve McQueen is best known for his 2014 Best Picture Oscar winner “12 Years a Slave”. He was awarded by the Foreign Office as a Knight Bachelor in recognition of service to Britain internationally and overseas.
Sam Mendes, the 54-year-old director was the visionary behind two James Bond movies- “Skyfall” and “Spectre”.
Cricketer Clive Lloyd, now 75, played a pivotal role as the middle-order batsman and West Indies captain from 1974 to 1985- a period when the team reached the pinnacle of its powers.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBEs) were awarded to 85-year-old actress Wendy Craig best known for her work on the sitcoms “Butterflies” and “Not in front of the Children”, 33-year-old English limited over cricket captain Eoin Morgan and 79-year-old broadcaster Annie Nightingale.
Order of the British Empire (OBEs) were awarded to Australian former England cricket head coach 57-year-old Trevor Bayliss, 80-year-old wine writer Oz Clarke, taekwondo world champion Jade Jones, Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol and 57-year-old racing-horse trainer Paul Nicholls.
OBEs were also given to 42-year-old broadcaster June Sarpong, famous food writer Nigel Slater and 28-year-old Ben Stokes. Stokes has had a great year with winning the man of the match at England’s first World Cup victory this year where he hit an unbeaten 135 for the third Ashes test triumph against Australia.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs) went to 28-year old England cricket captain Joe Root, 32-year-old footballer of England and Manchester City women’s team Jill Scott, 62-year-old TV chef Ainsley Harriott and 45-year-old fashion expert Gok Wan.
The biannual honours list is released once at the end of each year and once on the official birthday of the Queen in June. Since Queen Victoria’s reign in the 19th century, the New Year’s honours are awarded to recognise well-known figures as well as those who contribute selflessly to national life over several years.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.
