Britain’s sporting elite has been rewarded in a New Year honours list in which Rio Olympic medallists Andy Murray and Mo Farah are made knights and Katherine Grainger and Jessica Ennis-Hill become dames.

Olympians and Paralympians make up 10% of the 2017 list, which also includes knighthoods for Kinks frontman Ray Davies, 72, comedian Ken Dodd, 89, actor Mark Rylance, 56, and a damehood for actor Patricia Routledge, 87.



Murray’s honour caps a remarkable year for the Scot, who claimed a second Wimbledon title, defended his Olympic crown and took the world number one slot from Novak Djokovic in an extraordinary run of form. Aged 29, he is among the youngest to be awarded a knighthood in modern times and had once said he felt too young for such an accolade.

Four-time Olympic gold distance runner Mo Farah, 33, said of his knighthood: “I am so happy to be awarded this incredible honour from the country that has been my home since I moved here at the age of eight. Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today – it is a dream come true.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Mo Farah – sir Mo – celebrates after winning the men’s 5000m in Rio. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Sir Roger Bannister, 87, the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, is made a companion of honour – the highest award. So, too, is percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, and political veteran Baroness Shirley Williams.



New Year honours for 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things' Read more

Among the 1,197 people honoured, Anna Wintour, 67, editor-in-chief of US Vogue becomes a dame in the diplomatic and overseas list for services to fashion and journalism. Designer and former pop singer Victoria Beckham, 42, receives an OBE for services to the fashion industry, matching the honour given to her husband, David, 13 years ago.



This year sees the highest number of awards to black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background recipients, who make up 9.3% of the successful candidates. Awards include a damehood for nursing pioneer Prof Elizabeth Anionwu, and a knighthood for Cambridge chemist and DNA expert Prof Shankar Balasubramanian.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Katherine Grainger has been made a dame for services to rowing and charity. Photograph: John Walton/PA

The honours list is put together by nine independent committees set up by the Cabinet Office, and this year there are equal numbers of male and female recipients. A small number of honours are in the Queen’s personal gift, and included a knighthood for adventurer David Hempleman-Adams, 60, who said he was astonished to be made a knight commander of the Victorian order in recognition of his services to the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme.

In recognising Britain’s historic success at the summer Olympics, sporting stars were honoured not just for sporting excellence, but also for their contribution to giving back to their sport or community, the length of their career achievement and any previous honours.

New Year honours list: arise Sir Mark Rylance Read more

Glasgow-born Grainger, 41, the first female Olympian to win five medals at five games, becomes a dame for services to rowing and charity, said it was “such a lovely honour to get”.



“What is lovely when you hear the titles and the names of the New Year honours list, if anything it makes you feel you have to step up again. It is something to live up to – it is almost like a new standard,” she said.

“The honour is for sport, but also for charity, and I think that it is lovely that a lot of athletes have been able to give a lot back, and it is some of the areas I will probably go into when I move into other worlds and be able to do more charity work”.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jessica Ennis-Hill celebrates after winning silver in the women’s heptathlon in Rio. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Antarctic expert and HIV research pioneer among scientists made dames Read more

Heptathlete Ennis-Hill, 30, who like Grainger is now a dame and has also now retired from competitive sport, added silver at the 2016 games to her gold in London, and was already a CBE. Highly decorated Paralympic equestrian Lee Pearson, who already had the MBE, OBE and CBE for services to equestrianism and to disabled sport, is knighted.

Max Whitlock, 23, from Basildon, who won double gymnastics gold at Rio, said receiving an MBE was “an amazing feeling”. “It looks pretty cool to see my name with an MBE on the end of it. I’m very proud, and it gives me a lot of motivation.” Whitlock, who is getting married in 2017, added: “As an athlete I never expected to receive it and to be recognised is amazing”.

Para-swimmer Ellie Robinson, 15, who took both gold and bronze at Rio, said she hoped to inspire others as Ellie Simmonds had inspired her. Of her MBE she said: “If a 15-year-old with a disability can do it then anyone can do it. They have so much diversity in the awards now, and it just keeps getting better every year.”



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ellie Robinson during the medal ceremony for the women’s 50m butterfly S6 in Rio. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Bishop James Jones, 68, former Bishop of Liverpool and chair of the Hillsborough independent panel which led to the quashing of the original inquests, receives a knighthood. He described the honour as a “salute” to the Hillsborough families. “It is a great honour but it is obviously tinged with sadness because of the enduring sense of loss the families have,” he said.



Acclaimed photojournalist and war photographer Donald McCullin, 81, who worked on the Observer and the Sunday Times, said he felt “inwardly warmed” by his knighthood. Northumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Vera Baird QC, is made a dame for services to women and equality. Justine Roberts, co-founder and CEO of Mumsnet, is made a CBE.



Hillsborough campaigner Prof Phil Scraton turns down OBE Read more

The prime minister, Theresa May, is setting new priorities for future honours lists. She wants particular focus on services and work with children and young people, and those who have encouraged social mobility. She also wants emphasis on those who work against all forms of discrimination and for the list to reflect the merits and achievements of people from all walks and parts of the United Kingdom.



Television presenter and cancer campaigner Lynn Faulds Wood, 68, former face of BBC’s Watchdog programme, said she had turned down an MBE, believing the honours system to be unfair, and calling for it to be overhauled to “drag the country into the 21st century”.

She said she did not know who put her name forward for her work in consumer safety, but she felt she would have been a hypocrite to accept it. She objected to the word “empire” on the end of it, and “just wouldn’t accept it while we still have party donors donating huge amounts of money and getting an honour”.

</s>The achievements of a wide range of extraordinary Derbyshire residents have been recognised in the 2017 New Year Honours list.

OBE: Julie Beverley Bullous, lately Executive Headteacher, Federation of Mary Howard and St. Andrew's Primary School,

 Tamworth, Staffordshire - for services to education.

OBE: Shona Sands Powell, from Ilkeston, Director of Nottingham Lakeside Arts - for services to the arts and education.

MBE: Keith Andrew Bott, from Chesterfield, Partner at Titanic Brewery and Chairman of SIBA - for services to the brewing industry and the economy in Staffordshire.

MBE: Joseph Cahill, from Ilkeston, Constable with West Midlands Police and Chair of Governors, Broadway Academy, Birmingham - for services to education and to the community.

MBE: Elizabeth Anne Gaunt, from Chesterfield, Executive Officer, DWP Operations, Department for Work and Pensions - for services to Unemployed Armed Forces Leavers and charity in Derbyshire.

MBE: Melanie Dawn Ulyatt, from Chesterfield, Managing Director, One to One Support Services and Chair, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Federation of Small Businesses - for services to entrepreneurship and business.</s>London: Andy Murray received a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's Honours list on Friday, recognition from the monarch for reaching the pinnacle of tennis by winning his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles on his way to topping the rankings.

The 29-year-old Murray was previously named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, in 2012 after becoming Olympic champion for the first time.

Joining Murray in being knighted in British sports is Mo Farah, who retained his 5,000- and 10,000-meter titles at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August, becoming the first British track and field athlete to win four Olympic gold medals.

"I'm so happy to be awarded this incredible honor from the country that has been my home since I moved here at the age of eight," Farah said Friday. "Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today -- it's a dream come true.

Lee Pearson, who won his 11th Paralympic gold in equestrian in Rio, was also knighted. He already held the MBE, OBE and CBE for services to equestrianism and to disabled sport.

Damehoods went to heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower Katherine Grainger, who both retired from competitive action following the Rio Olympics.

Ennis-Hill added silver in Rio to her gold at London, as did Grainger, who came out of retirement to compete in the double sculls alongside Vicky Thornley.

Away from the Olympics, Wales manager Chris Coleman was awarded an OBE for steering his national football team into its first semifinal at the European Championship.

Northern Ireland was eliminated by Wales at Euro 2016 in the round of 16 but its manager, Michael O'Neill, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE.

Britain's honors are bestowed by the monarch, but recipients are selected by committees of civil servants from nominations made by the government and the public.</s>Andy Murray received a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Honors list yesterday, recognition from the monarch for reaching the pinnacle of tennis by winning his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles on his way to topping the rankings.

The 29-year-old Murray was previously named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, in 2012 after becoming Olympic champion for the first time.

Joining Murray in being knighted in British sports is Mo Farah, who retained his 5,000- and 10,000-meter titles at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August, becoming the first British track and field athlete to win four Olympic gold medals.

“I’m so happy to be awarded this incredible honor from the country that has been my home since I moved here at the age of eight,” Farah said Friday. “Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today — it’s a dream come true.

“I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to race for my country and win gold medals for the British people, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my career.”

Lee Pearson, who won his 11th Paralympic gold in equestrian in Rio, was also knighted. He already held the MBE, OBE and CBE for services to equestrianism and to disabled sport.

Damehoods went to heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower Katherine Grainger, who both retired from competitive action following the Rio Olympics.

Ennis-Hill added silver in Rio to her gold at London, as did Grainger, who came out of retirement to compete in the double sculls alongside Vicky Thornley.

Knights are addressed as “Sir” or “Dame.” Recipients of the other honors have no title, but can put the letters after their names. The ranks for the Orders of the British Empire are Commander, Officer and Member, in descending order.

Away from the Olympics, Wales manager Chris Coleman was awarded an OBE for steering his national football team into its first semifinal at the European Championship. Northern Ireland was eliminated by Wales at Euro 2016 in the round of 16 but its manager, Michael O’Neill, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE.

Britain’s honors are bestowed by the monarch, but recipients are selected by committees of civil servants from nominations made by the government and the public.</s>Andy Murray and Mo Farah are among the athletes to have been knighted in the Queen's New Year's honours list.

Murray has enjoyed the best year of his career in 2016, winning a second Wimbledon title, successfully defending his Olympic gold medal and reaching world number one for the first time.

Farah, meanwhile, made history by retaining his 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals at the Rio Olympics, taking his gold medal haul to four.

Jessica Ennis-Hill, who won silver in the heptathlon in Rio, is awarded a damehood for services to athletics having retired from the sport after the Olympics.

Katherine Grainger is also given the top honour having become the first female Olympian to win five medals at five games with silver in the double sculls.

Paralympian Lee Pearson joins Murray and Farah in becoming a knight having won his 11th gold medal in Rio.

The list is dominated by athletes from the Olympics and Paralympics following Great Britain's record-breaking medal haul, with the likes of Charlotte Dujardin, Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Nick Skelton all awarded CBEs.</s>He will now be known as Sir Andy Murray.

Men’s tennis’ World No. 1 Andy Murray has received a knighthood in the 2016 Queen’s Honours list, it has been revealed. The list, which was reaveled last night, will also see Olympic champion runner Mo Farah knighted, while heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill becomes a dame.

Murray will now be addressed as Sir Andy Murray professionally.

The move comes after months of speculation that Murray, Great Britain’s first No. 1 tennis player in the Open Era, said he was “too young for a knighthood.” In an interview at the time, he said “...obviously it is the highest honour you can get in this country,' he said. 'I don't know, I feel too young for something like that. I could still mess up and make mistakes ... I am just trying to keep doing what I am doing, working hard, and achieving stuff.'

In case you didn’t know...

Following Murray’s Wimbledon win, several sources alleged Murray would receive the honours – with those rumours finally confirmed. He is one of the youngest athletes to be knighted, and his knighthood is atypical in several ways.

At 29 years old, Murray is much younger than a number of other honorees; sportspersons and athletes are typically knighted towards the end of their careers, while Murray’s has just reached its peak.

Great Britain has had tennis talent in the past, but not since Fred Perry has it had a No. 1, and the country has not had many men’s singles stars to speak of. The last prominent male tennis icon from the country was Tim Henman, who retired nearly a decade ago in 2007. Henman was the British No. 1 until 2005, at which point Murray, who was then lower-ranked than he is now, took that mantle.

Henman’s career was not as successful as Murray’s has been, however. The older player made the semi-finals of six Grand Slams but was never able to progress beyond that stage, while Murray made eleven Grand Slam finals, winning three.

The heart of the matter

The knighthood tops what has been a spectacular year for Murray. Murray won his third Grand Slam title this year at Wimbledon, and with a host of other titles chipped away at an 8,000 point lead built up by then-reigning World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

Murray then won the year-ending ATP World Tour Finals, sealing his status as the year-ending No. 1. He beat Djokovic on multiple occasions this year, most recently at the finals of the ATP Tour Finals in London.

This year has also been one of Murray’s best on the personal front; his first child, Sophia was born in February, and Murray has credited his new daughter with adding more stability to his life.

The 29-year-old is one of the biggest sporting stars in a country that has not seen much success in singles tennis over the years.

Going forward, the Scot will be addressed as Sir Andy Murray, although he has requested organisers at Wimbledon, where he will in 2017 be the defending champion, not to use that title in announcements.

Murray’s form has been noteworthy, significantly because of his singular consistency over the 2016 season. He has been one of the few players to, in the season and over a number of years, not struggle with injuries, form or breakdowns; the Scot has not retired from a single match played this year.

In addition, Murray’s fitness is considered near-unparalleled on tour.

Mentally one of the strongest players on the tour, the Scot can only go up from here. Given the number of points Novak Djokovic will be defending in the 2017 season, Murray, who ended 2016 as the World No. 1 tennis player, will keep his title comfortably up until the clay court season, following which he can continue to keep it if his form is as consistent.

Murray suffered a surprise loss last night at the exhibition Mubadala Tennis Championships to David Goffin in straight sets, but that will not have any bearing on his points or ranking as the Mubadala Championships are not part of the ATP World Tour.

Murray’s knighthood is unsurprising – Great Britain, which has produced rowing, cycling and athletics stars for years, has not seen as much tennis success over the years as Andy Murray has brought in recent years.

Perhaps he is much younger than the average demographic in receiving this knighthood – but considering it has been his absolutely best year yet, Murray more than deserves the honour.</s>Team GB’s Olympic heroes Mo Farah, Andy Murray and Jessica Ennis-Hill lead this year’s New Year Honours in a list packed with stars from the Rio Games.

Britain’s most successful track-and-field athlete Farah, 33, receives a knighthood for services to athletics while Wimbledon winner and world number one Murray, 29, also becomes a Sir for services to tennis and charity.

While retired Heptathlete Ennis-Hill becomes a Dame after she won gold at London in 2012 and silver in Brazil in August.

Farah, who won gold in the 5,000 and 10,000 metre races in Rio, said: “I'm so happy to be awarded this incredible honour from the country that has been my home since I moved here at the age of eight.

"Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today - it's a dream come true.

"I'm so proud to have had the opportunity to race for my country and win gold medals for the British people, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my career."

Others to receive knighthoods include Kinks frontman Ray Davies, 72, and veteran stand-up comic Ken Dodd, 89, for services to the arts, and entertainment and charity.

Academy and Tony award-winning actor Mark Rylance, 56, is knighted for services to theatre, and opera singer Bryn Terfel gets the same honour for services to music.

While American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, 67, becomes a dame in the diplomatic and overseas list for services to fashion and journalism and Keeping Up Appearances actress Patricia Routledge, 87, is made a dame for services to the theatre and charity.

Stage and television actor Tim Pigott-Smith, 70, award-winning actress Helen McCrory, 48, and 40-year-old James Bond star Naomie Harris are appointed OBEs for services to drama.

Also selected for an OBE is double Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan, for services to drama production.

The 66-year-old said: "I feel honoured and humbled to receive such an amazing 'award' for a job that I simply love doing - storytelling through clothes.

"Hopefully some of these stories can help to connect, bring enjoyment, or make someone feel they are not alone - and do some good in this difficult world."

Victoria Beckham also receives an OBE award for services to fashion, 13 years after her husband David collected his.

Team GB’s most successful overseas games has seen many athletes honoured with awards being upgraded following on from London 2012.

Champion rower Katherine Grainger, 41, the first female Olympian to win five medals at five Games, becomes a dame for services to rowing and charity.

Two married sporting couples have also been honoured, with cycling stars Jason and Laura Kenny being upgraded to CBEs for services to the sport.

Kate Richardson-Walsh receives an OBE, while wife Helen Richardson-Walsh is made an MBE following Great Britain's first women's Olympic hockey gold medal. The rest of the team were also made MBEs for services to the sport.

Max Whitlock, 23, who claimed gold on the pommel and floor, as well as winning an all-around bronze, is honoured with an MBE for services to gymnastics.

He said: "This is a real honour for me.

"It is a great feeling now to see it on the name card - the three letters after my name - and it gives me a lot of motivation."

However, it is not the only those in the limelight who are being honoured.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird QC is being made a dame for services to women and equality.

This year sees the greatest number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background recipients in the history of the Order of the British Empire, represented by 9.3% of the successful candidates.

Awards include a damehood for Professor Elizabeth Anionwu, Emeritus Professor of Nursing, for services to nursing and the Mary Seacole Statue Appeal, and a knighthood for Professor Shankar Balasubramanian, Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Cambridge.

Women make up more than half of those being honoured, with 603 earning an award.

Around 10 per cent of the honours are for work in education, and feature a knighthood for Professor Barry Ife, principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and a knighthood for military historian Professor Antony Beevor.

The Parliamentary and Political Service Committee has made a number of recommendations, including knighthoods for Julian Brazier, Conservative MP for Canterbury and Whitstable, David Crausby, Labour MP for Bolton North East, and Steve Webb, former minister and ex-Liberal Democrat MP for Thornbury and Yate.

In total 322 BEMs, 503 MBEs and 222 OBEs have been announced.

Future honours lists will focus on services and work with children and young people, people who work to encourage social mobility and people who work in enterprise and business.

It comes in light of Prime Minister Theresa May setting new priorities for the system, in which she would also like people who work against all forms of discrimination recognised.</s>(CNN) A monumental year for Andy Murray just got even bigger -- the tennis world No.1 has been knighted in Britain's 2017 New Year's Honors List.

The traditional list overseen by the UK government recognizes the achievements and service of "extraordinary" people and 2016 certainly has been an extraordinary year for Murray.

The 29-year-old ended the season as world No.1 for the first time, toppling Novak Djokovic -- who had held the top spot since July 2014.

Murray had a golden summer, winning his second Wimbledon title in July and then claiming his second Olympic gold at the Rio Games in August.

Djokovic vs. Murray: The race for No. 1

Djokovic vs. Murray: The race for No. 1 02:50

Djokovic vs. Murray: The race for No. 1

Last, but not least, Murray and his wife Kim also became parents with the birth of daughter Sophia in February, just days after he played in the Australian Open final.

CNN's Open Court presenter Pat Cash says there is more to come from "Sir Andy Murray" in 2017: "One of my predictions is that he will be No. 1 for quite a while next year. He'll be pushed but for the majority of the year he will be No. 1.

"I also think he'll win the French Open. He's desperate to win that one and I think he'll grab it."

It was not quite the start to 2017 that Murray wanted when he lost his first match 7-6(4) 6-4 to Belgian David Goffin at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, Friday.

Another multiple Olympic gold medalist, Mo Farah, also received a knighthood after defending his 5,000-meter and 10,000m track titles in Rio.

The distance runner, who came to the UK from Somalia at the age of eight, was forced to deny doping allegations in 2015 after it emerged he missed two drugs tests in the buildup to London 2012.

Jessica Ennis, who added heptathlon silver to London gold in Rio before retiring, was made a dame (the highest accolade for women) along with Olympic rowing gold medalist Helen Grainger.

Equestrian Lee Pearson was also knighted for his achievement of winning 11 gold medals at five Paralympic Games.</s>Britain’s Olympic heroes have dominated the New Year’s Honours list after the record haul at the summer Games in Rio.

Andy Murray, who won Wimbledon and ended the year as the world’s number one men’s tennis player on top of gold in Brazil, has been awarded a knighthood.

Mo Farah, now a double-double Olympic gold medallist, is also knighted, and Jessica Ennis-Hill, who won a silver medal in the heptathlon to go with her gold in London four years earlier, gets a damehood.</s>Murray's knighthood caps a dream season of finishing as the year-end world number one for the first time, while Farah receives his knighthood after he retained his 5,000 and 10,000 meters titles at the Rio Olympics

LONDON, United Kingdom – Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah will each receive a knighthood in the New Year Honors.

Murray's knighthood caps a dream season for the Scot, who finished as the year-end world number one for the first time after ending Novak Djokovic's long spell at the top.

The 29-year-old clinched a second Wimbledon title in July before successfully defending his Olympic singles crown and then winning a first ATP Tour Finals crown to stop Djokovic regaining first place.

Murray, previously honored with an OBE in 2012, became a father for the first time in February and earlier this month was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a record third time.

"Obviously it is the highest honor you can get in this country. But I feel like I'm too young for something like that," said Murray before the announcement was made on Friday, December 30.

"When I win any award or am presented with anything it is nice because it is recognition for what you have given your life to – up to now anyway.

"I am still young and there are still a lot of things that can go wrong. I could still mess up and make mistakes. I am just trying to keep doing what I am doing, working hard and achieving stuff."

Farah receives his knighthood after he retained his 5,000 and 10,000 meters titles at the Rio Olympics, becoming the first British track and field athlete to win 4 Olympic gold medals.

The 33-year-old Somalia-born athlete is already a CBE following his double gold at London 2012.

"I'm so happy to be awarded this incredible honor from the country that has been my home since I moved here at the age of 8," Farah said.

"Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today. It's a dream come true.

"I'm so proud to have had the opportunity to race for my country and win gold medals for the British people, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my career.

"My successes have only been possible because of their support and the commitment, sacrifices and love of my amazing family and the team around me now and over the years."

Para-equestrian Lee Pearson is also knighted after adding gold from the Individual Freestyle grade Ib and silver in Dressage to his golds in Beijing and London.

The decorated Paralympian already held the MBE, OBE and CBE for services to equestrianism and to disabled sport.

Damehoods go to heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower Katherine Grainger, who both retired from competitive action following the 2016 Rio Games.

Ennis-Hill, who had returned to compete in Rio after becoming a mother, has been made a Dame for services to athletics.

The 30-year-old from Sheffield added silver at the 2016 Games to her gold at London, and was already a CBE.

Grainger receives her damehood for services to sport and charity, the veteran rower having come out of retirement to compete in Rio, where she won silver in the double sculls alongside Vicky Thornley. – Rappler.com
Mo Farah and world tennis number one Andy Murray are among those knighted by Elizabeth II in her 2017 New Year Honours list.