A number of A-listers including Helen Mirren, Lisa Riley and Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi have received King’s Birthday honors for services to music, charity, acting and culture
Dame Helen Mirren has been made a Companion of Honor in the King’s Birthday Honors list(Image: Finnbarr Webster/PA Wire)
The King’s Birthday Honors were announced on Friday 12 June, with a number of British icons receiving their flowers – some for the first time.
Emmerdale actress and former I’m a celebrity star Lisa Riley has received an MBE for services to drama and for her charity work.
Speaking to PA, she revealed this was a hugely exciting gift ahead of her 50th birthday in July: “Wow, if being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honors list isn’t my best 50th birthday present, I don’t know what is.
“To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement. Thank you so much, my heart is the warmest it could ever be.”
Helen Mirren, who has been a Dame since 2003 after being awarded a DBE for services to drama, has now also been made a Companion of Honor for services to drama. There are only 65 Companions of Honor at once..
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi was also made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to music and charity.
He said of the award: “What an incredible honor to receive an MBE. It’s been a privilege to do something I love and to see the music connect with so many over the years.”
14 years after first receiving his MBE in 2014, BBC Radio 6 DJ and musician Cerys Matthews was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music.
TV presenter Anneka Rice has also been made an MBE for her services to charity and broadcasting. The star is most famous for her TV series Challenge Anneka, which aired from 1989 to 1995 and was briefly revived in 2023. The show saw her take on various challenges, often to raise money for charity.
Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and Noughts and Crosses author Malorie Blackman both received dames for services to literature.
Dame Julia overtook Harry Potter creator JK Rowling as Britain’s best-selling author last year and said of the award: “Receiving this honor has been a very pleasant surprise. It’s really pleasing to have children’s books recognized in this way.”
Businessman Dave Fishwick who inspired Netflix ‘s Bank Of Dave film, was made an OBE for services to finance, business and charity. He told the PA the honor was “wonderful” and “incredible”.
The co-founders of the Oscar-winning animation studio behind beloved characters such as Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, Aardman, were both knighted for services to the creative industries and to charity.
Sir David Sproxton and Sir Peter Lord, who founded the studio together more than 50 years ago, said the recognition from the King was a ‘complete surprise’.
“We both feel it is an extraordinary privilege and honor — as well as a complete and utter surprise — to be recognized in this way,” the duo said in a statement. “As we receive these awards, we humbly bow and salute all those who have joined us on this extraordinary journey.”
The many names on the honors list also include six of the European Championship-winning lionesses, including Chloe Kelly and Alessia RussoMake-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, who received a CBE, and Rugby League great Kevin Sinfield.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This honors list is a chance to recognize them.
“Their dedication shows how lasting change is built – through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others. It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and on behalf of the entire nation, I want to say thank you.”
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