Birthday honours for host of famous faces
Famous faces in showbiz, sport and politics have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, with recipients this year said to reflect the monarch's ‘invaluable’ qualities ahead of her Platinum Jubilee.
Those behind the selection process said there was more consideration for people who have represented themes such as youth engagement, the environment and sustained public service to mark the monarch's milestone.
There are top honours for English-Indian author Sir Salman Rushdie and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake, who are made Companions of Honour for services to literature and illustration respectively.
Sir Quentin said: 'Of course, it is an enormous privilege to be appointed a Companion of Honour, but it is also of special interest to me because it is not, unlike so many awards, just a medal that is pinned on you.'
Sir Salman said: 'It was with great surprise and delight that I learned of this extraordinary honour. It's a privilege to be included in such illustrious company, both past and present.'
Elsewhere in showbiz, Homeland actor Damian Lewis, presenter Clare Balding and fashion designer Stella McCartney are made CBEs.
MBEs are to be served up to MasterChef duo John Torode and Gregg Wallace for services to food and charity.
Torode said: ' I am truly thrilled, humbled and very grateful and I'd like to thank those who nominated me for this great honour of an MBE.'
And his co-star Wallace said: ‘From a council estate in Peckham to being recognised by the Queen is for me something akin to a fairytale story. I am incredibly proud.’