Who's getting knighted?: 2021's New Year Honours List revealed

From some of Britain's best scientists to Team GB winners, here's who's on the list...

Author: Ellis Maddison and Ted Hennessey, PAPublished 31st Dec 2021

The New Year Honours list has been revealed, and we've compiled a shortlist of which biggest names have been awarded with knighthoods, MBEs, OBEs and all the rest.

This year, there's a large emphasis on all those who led the UK's fight against coronavirus, with the Cabinet Office announcing that nearly one in five of the honours are for Covid-related services.

Plenty of Team GB, gold-medal-winning Olympic and Paralympic athletes also feature, after Britain's successful performance at the Tokyo games.

There's even a surprise inclusion for a mother of one of the Manchester Arena Victims. 60-year-old Figen Murray said she's "completely humbled" to be made an OBE.

She completed a master's degree in counter terrorism, campaigned for increased security measures and has spoken to 14,000 schoolchildren about the dangers of radicalisation - all since her son Martyn Hett, 29, died in the attack after an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017

15.1% of award recipients this year are from an ethnic minority background, which is slightly higher than in June, but just 35.9% of recipients at CBE level or above are women.

See some of the most-notable names on the 2021 New Years Honours list:

Chris Whitty

England's chief medical officer (CMO), Professor Chris Whitty is one of the many scientists who have made the New Years Honours list this year, for efforts in battling COVID-19.


Professor Whitty, Deputy CMO Jonathan Van-Tam and Wales' and Scotland's CMO, Frank Atherton and Dr Gregor Smith, have all been given knighthoods.


There are damehoods for UK Health Security Agency chief Dr Jenny Harries and Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), following a year which saw new variants arise and more than 130 million vaccinations administered.


The Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, who was originally knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours list, is elevated to a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

Emma Raducanu

Tennis showstopper Emma Raducanu will be made MBE after her ground-breaking year, in which she stormed to victory in the US Open in New York, despite only being 19.
She was the first qualifier to ever win a grand slam tennis tournament. The British number one said: "It makes me immensely proud and grateful to be listed to receive an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen. This year has been full of amazing surprises for me so to end 2021 with this appointment is very special."

Jason and Laura Kenny

Plenty of Team GB Olympic and Paralympic gold-medal-winning athletes made the shortlist, including Jason and Laura Kenny. They're thought to be the first married couple to be recognised on the same honours list.

Steve Holland

Assistant Manager for England's National Football Team, Steve Holland, will be made an MBE for his services to Association Football. He's the only staff or player member from the England set up to make the list this year.

Tom Daley and Matty Lee

Olympic diver Tom Daley, who won gold in the 10m synchro, will be made an OBE and his partner Matty Lee an MBE.

Frank Field

Former Labour MP Frank Field has been made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his public and political service.
Lord Field of Birkenhead, 79, told the PA news agency: "I'm very honoured to receive this acknowledgement, it's a terrific privilege considering the honour itself and what it represents.
"Following the work I've done it's a lovely thought from which to conclude this year."

Adam Peaty and Tom Dean

Team GB swimmer Adam Peaty will be made an OBE, more likely for winning Olympic gold than for his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, while there's also an MBE for his Team GB swimming team mate Tom Dean, who similarly saw gold in Tokyo.

Hannah Cockroft

Seven-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft has been made OBE after winning two golds in wheelchair racing at Tokyo, and for her inspiration in making more disabled children want to take up sports in school.

Daniel Craig

On the showbiz side of things, certified Bond legend Daniel Craig has been given a special diplomatic honour following his last outing as the iconic British spy in No Time To Die. He's been made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), which was actually awarded to the fictional character of James Bond in the film series and in Ian Fleming's books.


James Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli will be made a CBE as well.

Joanna Lumley

Actress Joanna Lumley will be made a dame after being honoured for her services to drama, entertainment and art. She said: "I am astonished and thrilled and touched beyond words to receive this colossal honour.
"It comes as a complete and unexpected surprise, and is the kindest and most beautiful present imaginable."
Elsewhere in entertainment, Vanessa Redgrave is also being made dame.

Tony Blair

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will be made Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by the Queen. It's the oldest and highest British order of chivalry that can be bestowed, and is often given to past Prime Ministers - Sir John Major, Blair's predecessor, being the last to receive it.

Ashley Banjo

Diversity member Ashley Banjo has made the honours list and will be awarded with an MBE following a year in which he became a spokesman for issues around racial equality.

Mel B

Former spice girl Mel B will also be granted an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women's Aid.

Adam Hills

Comedian and host Adam Hills, who is to be made MBE, told the PA news agency: "I am absolutely chuffed to bits to be given this honour. I've already Googled 'Australian comedians who have received honours', 'when can I start writing MBE after my name?' and 'are Australians even eligible for an MBE?'.

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