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State & Ceremonial

Arise Dame Darcey Bussell, Sir Barry Gibb & Sir Ringo Starr – New Year’s Honours revealed

Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, Bee Gee Barry Gibb and Beatle Ringo Starr are among those being honoured in the 2018 New Year Honours list, which also recognises the achievements of other well-known faces, including Hugh Laurie and Eamonn Holmes.

Darcey Bussell now becomes Dame Darcey Bussell, as she is knighted in the annual honours list. Also knighted are Barry Gibb and Ringo Starr who are now styled as ‘Sir’.

Dame Darcey was previously awarded an OBE in 1995 and then a CBE in 2006 for services to dance. She is a world-renowned former ballerina, and recently became known to a whole new generation as she was appointed as a judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Dame Darcey Bussell – for services to dance [Photo: BBC]

Speaking of her honour, the dancer said she is “truly humbled.”

Singer-songwriter and Bee Gee, Barry Gibb, will be knighted in the New Year for services to music and charity.

Sir Ringo Starr – for services to music [Photo: Eva Rinaldi]

Sir Barry was previously awarded a CBE in 2002 alongside his brothers Robin and Maurice.

He said would dedicate the honour to his late brothers, adding: “The magic, the glow, and the rush will last me the rest of my life.”

Sir Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo Starr, receives his knighthood for services to music.

He first received an honour from The Queen back in 1965 when he and the other Beatles received the MBE in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours.

In a message, Sir Ringo said: “It’s great! It’s an honour and a pleasure to be considered and acknowledged for my music and my charity work, both of which I love.”

The former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has also received a knighthood in this year’s list.

Sir Nick is being honoured for political and public services.

Of those being knighted in the 2018 New Year Honours list, many of them are from the world of politics.

This includes the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, who has been knighted for parliamentary and political service.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle – for parliamentary and political service [Photo: BBC Parliament]

Conservative MPs Graham Brady and Cheryl Gillan also receive a knighthood and damehood for their services to politics.

But it isn’t just the politicians themselves who have been knighted in the list. Some of those who watch and analyse the world of politics have also been recognised.

This includes psephologist and BBC election guru Professor John Curtice, who accurately predicted the last four elections, including June’s surprise results.

Professor Sir John Curtice – for services to social science and politics [Photo: Liberal Democrats via Flickr CC]

Sir John said: “Just six months ago the exit poll I led surprised everyone with a shock prediction that went on to be uncannily accurate.

“Now it is my turn to be surprised – and humbled – by the gracious decision to grant me a knighthood. It is not something I ever expected to happen.”

Sir Michael Morpurgo – for services to literature and charity [Photo: Georges Seguin CC]

Children’s author Michael Morpurgo will be knighted for services to literature and charity in the 2018 list.

Sir Michael was previously appointed an MBE in 1999 in recognition of his services to youth. He was later promoted to an OBE in 2006 for services to literature.

In this year’s New Year Honours, The Queen has appointed three people to the Order of the Companion of Honour.

Following nine appointments in the Birthday Honours List, author and historian Lady Antonia Fraser and broadcaster Melvyn, Lord Bragg of Wigton are to join the Order. Historian and Warder of St. Antony’s College Oxford, Margaret Mcmillan, has also recognised with a Companion of Honour on the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List.

This means for the first time since its institution in 1917; the Order now has its full 65 members and no more can be added until existing members die.

Those receiving CBEs in the 2018 list include actor Hugh Laurie for services to drama.

Former British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman also receives the honour services to fashion journalism.

Author and journalist Jilly Cooper receives a CBE for services to literature and charity.

A CBE is an honour that precedes a knighthood and is awarded to people who have played a prominent role at a national level.

Eamonn Holmes OBE – for services to broadcasting

Former astronaut Helen Sharman becomes a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to science and technology educational outreach.

Also being honoured is television presenter and broadcaster Eamonn Holmes. Mr Holmes has been made an OBE for services to broadcasting.

Mr Holmes described the honour as a ‘wonderful accolade’, adding: “It’s like getting a gold star for your homework – 2018 will be my 38th year as a broadcaster and I can’t think of a better way of marking that.”

In total 1,123 people have received an award in the 2018 honours. Of those, 70% of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity.

551 women are recognised in the this year’s list, representing 49% of the total recipients.

Of those recognised, 9.2% come from a BAME background; and 5% consider themselves to have a disability.

The oldest people to be recognised on the list are Lt Col. Mordaunt Cohen MBE and Helena Jones BEM who are both 101 years old.

Mr Cohen receives an MBE for services to Second World War education, and Ms Jones receives a BEM for her services to young people and the community in Brecon, Powys.

At 18 years old, Lucia Mee is the youngest person on the list. She receives a BEM for services to promoting public awareness about organ donation.