Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Honoured to serve
Tennis ace Emma among string of stars to land New Year gong
TENNIS star Emma Raducanu is set to cap off 2021 in style with an MBE in the New Year Honours list.
The US Open champ, 19, is tipped to become the youngest ever recipient of an MBE.
She will be joined by other sporting icons, while those leading the fight against coronavirus will be honoured too.
Emma shot to fame in September when she beat Leylah Fernandez in the US Open final, just months after taking her A-levels.
Last week she was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. And the award from the Queen will round off the year perfectly.
Gareth Southgate’s England soccer heroes are set to be honoured too after lifting the nation in the summer.
They stormed to the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, before losing out to Italy on penalties.
A Whitehall insider said: “In a year marred by Covid, these sporting heroes gave us a reason to be cheerful.
“It’s right that they be rewarded for their remarkable success.” The health chiefs who showed remarkable dignity and dedication during the pandemic are also expected to be rewarded.
The Government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance – knighted in 2019 for services to open clinical science – is likely to be honoured. And Chief Medical Officer for England Prof Chris Whitty is also up for a gong.
Elsewhere, Mel B is set to receive an MBE in recognition of her services to domestic violence victims.
The Spice Girl and Women’s Aid patron, 46, has opened up about her own experience of abuse and petitioned No.10 for better support.
In a moving music video called Love Should Not Hurt, she portrayed a domestic violence victim.
The insider said: “Mel has spoken about her own problems and used that to help others. She fully deserves the accolade.”
Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway, 54, is in line for a gong in recognition of her 32-year broadcasting career.
It comes months after her award-winning documentary about her husband Derek Draper’s ongoing Covid battle. She is tipped to receive an MBE or CBE.
Heroes of sport gave us a reason for cheer as virus raged WHITEHALL INSIDER ON NEW YEAR HONOURS