GARETH SOUTH-GREAT
From Gareth Southgate receiving a knighthood to Keely Hodgkinson’s MBE, all the stars who got gongs in New Year honours
There are also several controversial omissions and inclusions in the list
ARISE, Sir Gareth Southgate . . . the former England men’s football manager is knighted as Britain’s sporting royalty lead those celebrated in the King’s New Year Honours.
The Three Lions hero, 54, resigned after England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euros final in July.
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He has been honoured alongside Olympic stars who brought home some of Team GB’s 65 medals at the Paris Games.
Golden girl Keely Hodgkinson, 22, is awarded an MBE after storming to victory in the 800m final in the summer.
She also won the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award this month.
Helen Glover, 38, receives an OBE after becoming one of the most decorated British rowers of all time. She returned to competing after having children and claimed a silver medal in Paris.
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Two-time Olympic champion Tom Pidcock, 25, is made an OBE, having won gold in mountain biking.
Paralympian Hannah Cockroft, 32, becomes a CBE after taking gold in the T34 100m and 800m in Paris.
Former F1 driver and broadcaster Martin Brundle, 65, has been made an OBE and former Scotland and Liverpool footballer Alan Hansen, 69, an MBE.
Ex-West Ham manager David Moyes, 61, got an OBE for services to football.
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Meanwhile, actor and writer Stephen Fry is knighted for his work on mental health awareness.
Sir Stephen, 67, said he felt “startled and enchanted” after receiving the letter informing him of the knighthood.
Keely Hodgkinson wins BBC SPOTY 2024 as Olympic gold medallist pips Luke Littler to top prize
Singer and presenter Myleene Klass, 46, was “absolutely over the moon” to receive an MBE.
She has been recognised for services to women’s health, miscarriage awareness and charity.
Actress Sarah Lancashire, 60, called her CBE an “unexpected delight” having already won plaudits for her roles in Happy Valley and Last Tango In Halifax.
Great Gatsby star Carey Mulligan, 39, is also recognised with a CBE. Doctor Who legend Tom Baker, 90, receives an MBE and actor Eddie Marsan, 56, an OBE.
Telly gardener Alan Titchmarsh, 75, was “thrilled to bits” with his CBE.
The Companion of Honour, of which there are only 65 recipients at any time, is awarded to Remains of the Day author Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, 70.
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Beloved children’s author Jacqueline Wilson, 79, who is already a Dame, becomes a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.
In total 1,203 people were recognised in the list which had a focus on unsung heroes. Post Office Horizon IT scandal victims Lee Castleton, Jo Hamilton, Christopher Head and Seema Misra are made OBEs for services to justice.
...But still no Sir Becks
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DAVID Beckham has missed out on a knighthood again in the King’s New Year Honours list — despite appearing to grow closer to the Royal Family.
The former England captain, 49, went to five royal events this year and was appointed as an ambassador at The King’s Foundation.
His frustration at being overlooked emerged in 2017 in leaked emails in which he blasted the Honours Committee for failing to make him a Sir.
Charles’ awards for docs
- By Matt Wilkinson Royal Editor
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KING Charles has awarded top gongs to two of his doctors after his year-long cancer battle.
The King, 76, has honoured his GP, Dr Douglas Glass, otherwise known as the apothecary to the King, and his physician Prof Richard Leach.
Dr Glass was in attendance at Balmoral when Queen Elizabeth II died.
He was already a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) and is now a Commander.
Prof Leach, a consultant physician at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Trust, London, was made a Lieutenant of the RVO,
Queen Camilla’s lady-of-the-household Dame Whitehead is promoted to a Dame Grand Cross.
Queen Elizabeth’s former GP, Dr Kirstin Ostle, has been made a Lieutenant of the RVO.
And Prince William’s outgoing equerry, Lt Cmdr Rob Dixon — seen celebrating with Wills at England’s win over the Swiss at Euro 2024 — is made a RVO Member.
Olivia, 9, murder cop nod
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THE cop who led the manhunt for the killer of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine, has been awarded the King’s Police Medal.
Det Chief Supt Mark Baker led an investigation into Thomas Cashman who fired a gun into her home in Liverpool in August 2022.
He tried to kill gangland rival Joseph Nee who had forced his way in, but Olivia was hit.
Mark, now retired, said: “I am extremely proud.
“It reflects the work that takes place across Merseyside day in, day out.”
‘Failure’ Sadiq is knighted
- By Ryan Sabey
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LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has been “rewarded for failure” by getting a knighthood — despite his Ulez scheme causing fury.
The Labour politician was honoured despite a petition against it receiving more than 206,000 signatures.
Ex-Tory MP Steve Tuckwell said: “Many Londoners, especially those in the outer suburbs, will be shocked.”
Meanwhile, Labour MP Emily Thornberry, the foreign affairs committee chair, has received a damehood.
Veteran ‘unsung heroes’
- Exclusive by Julia Atherley
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A FORMER World War Two bomber pilot aged 103 is among the service veteran “unsung heroes” recognised today.
Colin Bell — who flew 50 missions over Germany and received the Distinguished Flying Cross — is awarded an Empire Medal for Charitable Services.
George Kelly, 101, an RAF navigator during World War Two, is made an MBE for voluntary services to the Royal British Legion and to Royal Air Force veterans.
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He took part in the 1948 Berlin Airlift and 1956 Suez Crisis and holds the Air Force Medal.
Ex-paratrooper Jaco van Gass, 38, receives an OBE for Services to Cycling.
He suffered severe injuries after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan but fought back to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, winning two golds.
British Legion boss Lisa Farmer gets an OBE for services to the Armed Forces community.
Her work to support veterans has raised a combined £120million.
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PM Sir Keir Starmer said: “Our veterans are the pride of our country . . . unsung heroes.”
Minister of State for Defence Lord Coaker said: “This year’s recipients represent the very best of us.”
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