The New Year Honours list for 2025 has been unveiled, bestowing knighthoods, damehoods, and other prestigious awards upon a diverse array of individuals from the worlds of entertainment, sport, charity, and public service. Leading the recognitions are acclaimed actors Idris Elba and Meera Syal, who have been made a knight and a dame respectively.
Stars of Screen and Stage Honoured
Idris Elba, renowned for his powerful performances in series such as The Wire and Luther, receives his knighthood for services to young people. This accolade specifically highlights his charitable work through the Elba Hope Foundation, which focuses on community empowerment, education, and youth advocacy. Upon receiving the honour, Elba emphasised the ongoing need for practical support for young people, stating he hoped to draw more attention to finding "an alternative to violence."
Meanwhile, comedian, writer, and actor Meera Syal becomes a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Syal, a beloved figure known for The Kumars at No 42 and a wide range of theatrical and literary work, is recognised for her services to literature, drama, and charity.
The honours also celebrated legendary ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who were made a dame and a knight for services to ice skating and voluntary service. The pair, who captured the nation's heart with their Olympic gold medal-winning performance in 1984, described the award as "wonderful and humbling." Torvill noted the perfect timing, coming after they danced on ice for the final time earlier this year, calling it a fitting end to their career.
Sporting Triumphs Recognised
England's successful women's sports teams featured prominently in this year's list. Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach who led the Lionesses to European Championship glory, was made an honorary dame. She expressed deep gratitude for the warmth shown to her since moving to England.
Her captain, Leah Williamson, was awarded a CBE, while teammates Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, and Ella Toone all received MBEs for their part in the historic win.
The England Women's Rugby World Cup-winning squad was also strongly represented. Players Marlie Packer and Zoe Aldcroft, along with coach John Mitchell, were appointed OBEs. Teammates Ellie Kildunne, Sadia Kabeya, and Megan Jones were made MBEs following the Red Roses' victory over Canada in the final last September.
Further sporting honours went to Olympic gold medal-winning sports climber Toby Roberts, 20, who becomes the youngest recipient this year with an MBE, and marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, who was made an OBE.
Broad Range of Contributions Celebrated
The list acknowledged significant contributions across public life and the arts. Amanda Pritchard, the former head of NHS England, was made a dame, dedicating the honour to frontline staff.
In the arts, knighthoods were awarded to Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, for services to museums, and Roy Clarke, creator of classic sitcoms like Last of the Summer Wine. The former UN official Patrick McCabe was also knighted for his work clearing unexploded bombs in Gaza.
Other notable recipients included composer Max Richter and former Spurs chairman Daniel Levy (CBEs), and comedian Bill Bailey, poet Andrew McMillan, and chef Marcus Wareing (MBEs).
The list also honoured remarkable personal campaigns and community service. Betty Brown, 92, the oldest victim of the Horizon IT scandal, was made an OBE for seeking justice for wronged post office operators. D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, 101, received a BEM for Holocaust remembrance work, while John Hearn, 102, was the oldest recipient, awarded a BEM for services to judo and his community.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised all recipients, stating the list "celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives."
