Actor Idris Elba and ice skating legends Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill are among the stars recognised in King Charles’s New Year Honours list.
Elba, known for The Wire and Luther, was knighted for his work with the Elba Hope Foundation. The charity helps young people through education and community projects. He said:
“I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.”
Torvill and Dean, 1984 Olympic gold medalists and former Dancing on Ice stars, received a damehood and knighthood for services to ice skating. Dean said:
“It’s been mentioned by fans and supporters, but it’s something that we never realised might happen.”
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Torvill added:
“It was a big thing for us to mark our career before retirement, and then receiving this award at the end of the year, it’s just finished everything. It’s perfect.”
The list also honours sports achievements. England women’s football coach Sarina Wiegman received an honorary damehood. Captain Leah Williamson earned a CBE. Her teammates Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, and Ella Toone received MBEs. Members of England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup-winning squad also earned honours. Marathon champion Paula Radcliffe received an OBE.
Other awards went to Betty Brown, 92, a victim of the Horizon IT scandal, and D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, 101. The youngest recipient was 20-year-old Olympic gold-winning climber Toby Roberts, who received an MBE.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“This year’s honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.”