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It’s the most wonderful time of the year if you’re among the chosen few to make Britain’s New Year’s honours list, an annual tradition that rewards people for the contributions to public life.
Britons ranging from Hollywood A-listers Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo to a 102-year-old judo instructor have been named in King Charles III’s New Year’s honours list.
Elba, who starred as a drug dealer in ‘The Wire’ and the president of the United States in ‘A House of Dynamite’ was knighted for his services to young people after he and his wife, Sabrina, founded the Elba Hope Foundation to target issues such as knife crime, education and poverty.
The actor accepted the honour on behalf of the young people served by the charity.
“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,” Elba said.
Screen and sport stars
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, the ice dancing duo who won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, were also awarded top honours, with Torvill receiving a damehood and Dean a knighthood.
Cynthia Erivo, one of the stars of ‘Wicked‘, was named a Member of the British Empire, or MBE, for services to music and drama. And John Hearn, who goes by the name Judo Jack, received a British Empire Medal, after the Guinness World Records recognised him as the world’s oldest judo instructor.
In total 1,157 people have been recognised, among them England’s victorious women’s football and rugby teams.
The comedian and actress Meera Syal is made a dame while ‘Willow’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’ actor Warwick Davis gets an Officer of the British Empire (OBE).
Other honorees include author and comedian Richard Osman, who writes the “Thursday Murder Club” book series and was declared an OBE; retired marathon runner Paula Radcliffe, OBE; and 101-year-old D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, who was awarded a British Empire Medal for school talks on Holocaust remembrance and his wartime service.