Ken Bruce, Ian Wright & Davina McCall named in King's first birthday honours

Dame Anna Wintour, Ian McEwan and Vicky McClure are also on the list

Ian Wright, Anna Wintour, Ken Bruce and Davina McCall who've all been given honours
Author: Chris MaskeryPublished 16th Jun 2023

The names on the King's first birthday honours list have been revealed and they include footballer Ian Wright, fashion editor Dame Anna Wintour and presenter Ken Bruce.

The highest awards went to Vogue editor-in-chief Dame Anna and author Ian McEwan, who were made Companions of Honour alongside Professor Sir John Bell, from the University of Oxford.

Greatest Hits Radio Presenter Ken Bruce was made an MBE for both his services to radio, charity and autism awareness.

The 72-year-old broadcaster said he hopes being made an MBE will highlight the challenges facing autistic people following his son’s diagnosis.

Famous faces given honours

Line Of Duty actress Vicky McClure receives an MBE for services to drama and charity; while television presenter Davina McCall said being made an MBE for services to broadcasting “means a great deal”, following a television career spanning more than two decades.

Meanwhile, former England and Arsenal footballer-turned-pundit Wright was made an OBE

Director Stephen Frears was given a knighthood in the birthday honours.

Among his most famous films is The Queen, which won Dame Helen Mirren an Oscar and landed him a directing nod.

Late author Sir Martin Amis receives knighthood

It's also been revealed that the late author Sir Martin Amis was knighted a day before he died last month.

The author was given a knighthood before his death from cancer at the age of 73.

Amis was awarded the honour for services to literature and it is dated May 18, the day before his death, as honours cannot be given posthumously.

Other people on the awards list

Former Rangers footballer and manager John Greig was made a CBE while former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and ex-Lionesses striker Eniola Aluko became MBEs.

MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore and Labour former minister Sir Ben Bradshaw were knighted and Conservative MPs John Baron, Bob Blackman, Damian Collins and Heather Wheeler were also recognised.

The brother of murdered Iraq hostage Ken Bigley was made an OBE for his work to support individuals and families affected by kidnapping incidents overseas.

Philip Bigley said: “I am both shocked and honoured to have been nominated for this award, which I graciously accept in memory of my brother, Ken, and on behalf of our family.

Sir Rupert Gavin, chairman of Historic Royal Palaces, Booker Prize-winner Sir Ben Okri, former BBC director-general Sir Mark Thompson and Sky’s executive chairman Sir Jeremy Darroch became Knight bachelors.

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