TRACEY EMIN AND IMELDA STAUNTON AMONG TOP NAMES IN KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

Artist Tracey Emin, actress Imelda Staunton, former prime minister Gordon Brown and cyclist Mark Cavendish are among the famous faces recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Emin, 60, the former enfant terrible of the art world, receives a damehood, as does Staunton, 68, who earned a Bafta and a Golden Globe nomination playing Queen Elizabeth II in series five and six of The Crown.

Former world champion and sprinting great Cavendish, 39, the joint record holder for Tour de France stage wins with 34 victories, is knighted.

Countdown star and i columnist Susie Dent is made an MBE, as is Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon, while political satirist Armando Iannucci, creator of The Thick Of It has his OBE upgraded to a CBE.

Emin, who shot to fame when she was nominated for the Turner Prize in 1999, said: “Dame Tracey has a good ring to it. I’m very, very happy. Another brilliant surprise in my life.”

Theatre and film star Staunton said she was “really thrilled” at her damehood, which also recognises her charity work.

“I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses, all the great Dames, who have led the way for so many of us,” she said.

“It is their talent, dedication, wit and energy that have paved the way for us all and have set the standards to which we all aspire.”

Manxman Cavendish’s first coach Dot Tilbury said everyone on the Isle of Man “from young children to grannies” was proud of the Olympic silver medallist’s achievements.

Mr Brown, 73, who was Labour prime minister from 2007 to 2010, said he felt “slightly embarrassed” to be made a Companion of Honour.

He received the award, which is held by only 65 members at any one time, for his for public and charitable services. His organisation The Office of Gordon and Sarah Brown has donated more than £4m to good causes.

Mr Brown said: “I feel slightly embarrassed as the opportunity to serve is an honour in itself, and my preference has always been to recognise all those brilliant, unsung, local heroes who quietly and selflessly give their time to contribute to the vitality of our communities.

“I want to thank those who put my name forward and thank too my family and all who have worked with me during the last 50 years in public life to whom I owe everything.”

Also made a dame is fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch.

Film and TV writer Iannucci, 60, whose satire The Thick Of It lampooned the inner workings of British government, said he saw his CBE as a signal to keep backing public broadcasters.

“I’m proud to work in the British TV and film industry,” he added. “It’s the best in the world, yet weirdly I’ve been spending more and more of my energy defending our public service television from attacks on its independence and funding. I’ll take this award as a cue to keep going.”

Lexicographer and etymologist Dent, 59, who has appeared in Dictionary Corner on Countdown since 1992, was “delighted” after being made an MBE. She said: “I’m thrilled by this unexpected recognition, and will celebrate it on behalf of word lovers everywhere.

“Throughout my career I’ve tried to share the joy of language and of books (above all, the dictionary!) and so I’m especially delighted to be honoured for my contribution to language and literature.

“They are the mainstays of my life, and I’ll do my very best to continue spreading the word, quite literally.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden – who returns to the BBC show in September after missing last year’s following a battle with breast cancer – is named an MBE.

X-factor singer turned activist Rebecca Ferguson, 37, is given the same honour.

Professional dancer Dowden, 33, accepted her honour for services to raising awareness of Crohn’s disease “on behalf” of all those who live with the inflammatory bowel condition.

The Crown actor Alex Jennings, 67, who played crusading MP James Arbuthnot in ITV drama Mr Bates vs. the Post Office, is made a CBE.

From the sporting world, ex-Scotland and Rangers striker Ally McCoist, 61 – who spoke to i before heading to Germany to commentate on the Euros – was awarded an OBE for services to football and broadcasting.

His former manager and international teammate Graeme Souness, 71, said he is s “delighted and humbled” to receive a CBE for services to football and charity.

Former Lioness and TV football pundit Karen Carney, 36, becomes an OBE. The ex-England star chaired a Government-commissioned review into the future of domestic women’s football, with the report’s recommendations accepted by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer.

“I’m particularly grateful that it’s for work I’ve done since my retirement from professional football,” she said of her honour. “Chairing the review into women’s football has probably been one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced in my professional life, but it’s always been drilled into me that as players, we should leave the game in a better place than we found it.”

Golfer Sandy Lyle, 66, was awarded an OBE having been made an MBE in 1987. He triumphed at the 1988 Masters and the US Open in 1985.

Ex-England cricketer Katherine Sciver-Brunt, 38, was also made an OBE, while former England football coach Chris Powell, 54, becomes an MBE.

Olympic cycling gold medalist Chris Boardman, 55, who wore the Tour de France yellow jersey three times, becomes a CBE,

Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho gets an OBE; former BBC creative director Alan Yentob, 77, receives a CBE; while sculptor, jeweller and performance artist Andrew Logan, 78, is awarded an MBE.

2024-06-14T21:46:10Z dg43tfdfdgfd