Arise Sir Alan Bates! King announces birthday honours list
Imelda Staunton, Simon Le Bon, Gordon Brown, Amy Dowden and Heather Small are among those honoured
Alan Bates, who campaigned against the Post Office, Gordon Brown, Imelda Staunton and Amy Dowden are among the famous faces in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Gordon Brown was made a Companion of Honour, while Sir Alan was knighted in recognition of his campaigning work highlighting the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Artist Tracey Emin, actress Imelda Staunton and fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch were all made dames in the list, while writer Armando Iannucci was made a CBE and cyclist Mark Cavendish was knighted.
Singer Rebecca Ferguson, Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon, Countdown’s Susie Dent and Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden were among the showbiz names to be made MBEs.
More than 1,000 people from across the UK received honours in today's list.
Some of the famous names on the King's birthday honours list
Alan Bates has been knighted in recognition of his campaigning work highlighting the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Strictly's Amy Dowden has accepted being made an MBE for her services to Crohn's disease "on behalf" of all those who live with the inflammatory bowel disease.
Actress Imelda Staunton and fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch were made dames in the list
The highest award went to Gordon Brown who was made a Companion of Honour,
Artist Tracey Emin was made a Dame alongside Imelda Staunton. Dame Tracey, who is known for her autobiographical and confessional artwork, said: "Dame Tracey has a good ring to it. I'm very, very happy. Another brilliant surprise in my life."
Countdown's lexicographer Susie Dent was given an MBE, as was singer Rebecca Ferguson
Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon said being made an MBE was "incredible" and "totally unexpected".
He added: "These last few years have been some of the most important in Duran Duran's career, and this is a bright but humbling highlight as our journey continues."
Founding member of M People, as well as a successful solo artist, Heather Small has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours for her voluntary and charitable services.
Soap star Shobna Gulati has become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the cultural industries.
Cycling sprint star Mark Cavendish, 39, who is on the overseas list under his Isle of Man address, said he was "truly humbled" to be knighted.
Sir Alan Bates, the founder of Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance who was played by Toby Jones in an ITV drama about the scandal, said he was “honoured” by his knighthood.
The former subpostmaster, who previously rejected an OBE honour, told the PA news agency: “The time I was asked about the OBE… I felt it would have been quite offensive to many of the group if I’d accepted it.
“But I do know that I’ve had hundreds of emails and letters of support over the years and a lot of people do seem to think that I should receive some sort of recognition for the work that I’ve done for them or on their behalf.
“I know I’m the recipient of it and all the rest of it, but it’s on behalf of the group as well – and recognition of the horrendous things that have happened to them and the story’s not over yet.”
Former Labour leader Mr Brown said he felt “slightly embarrassed” about being made a Companion of Honour, which is limited to just 65 people at any one time, adding that he preferred to recognise “unsung, local heroes”.
Dame Tracey, who is known for her autobiographical and confessional artwork, said: “Dame Tracey has a good ring to it. I’m very, very happy. Another brilliant surprise in my life.”
The Crown actress Dame Imelda said she was “thrilled” to be made a dame for her services to drama and charity.
She said: “I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses, all the great dames, who have led the way for so many of us.”