Actresses Joanna Lumley and Vanessa Redgrave are amongst the famous faces honoured by The Queen in the 2022 New Year Honours.
Lumney and Redgrave both receive Damehoods – Dame Joanna for services to drama, entertainment and to charitable causes, and Dame Vanessa for services to drama.
The scientific community have been heavily recognised in the 2022 list, with some of the most prestigious honours being awarded to those who have led the nation through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, has been knighted for his leadership during the past 21 months.
His Deputies, Dr Jenny Harries and Professor Jonathan Van-Tam also receive a Damehood and a knighthood respectively.
The government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, also receives a second knighthood, becoming a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath alongside Sir Chris.
The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Gregor Smith, and the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Frank Atherton, have also been knighted.
For her work on the vaccine rollout, Emily Lawson receives a Damehood.
In the world of politics, former MP Lord Frank Field has been made a Member of the Companion of Honour – one of the most prestigious honours one can receive.
Photo: UK Parliament
Lord Field, who revealed late last year that he is dying of a terminal illness, is one of only 61 currently Companions.
Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Sir Paul Nurse has also been made a Companion of Honour for his outstanding contribution to scientific research and understanding.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been knighted. Mr Blair was PM for ten years from 1997 – 2007.
Two serving Members of Parliament have been knighted for political and public service – Sir Robert Goodwill and Sir Bill Wiggin.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Sylvia Heal, becomes a Dame, and former MP John Battle is knighted.
Many broadcasters and journalists have also been honoured by The Queen in the 2022 list.
Leading the way is veteran newsreader and broadcaster Moira Stuart who is awarded a CBE for services to the media.
Writer and Sky News presenter, Trevor Phillips, is knighted for services to equality and human rights.
Financial journalist and broadcaster Martin Lewis is being recognised with a CBE for services to broadcasting and consumer rights.
Journalist and Good Morning Britain presenter, Kate Garraway, has been awarded an MBE alongside sports broadcaster Jill Douglas.
Spice Girl Mel B has been awarded an MBE for services to Charitable Causes and Vulnerable Women
Television presenter, model and activist Katie Piper has been awarded an OBE for services to charity and victims of burns and other disfigurement injuries.
Actor Daniel Craig is made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. In the film franchise, James Bond was fictionally given the same honour.
A number of soap stars have also been recognised by Her Majesty going into the New Year.
June Brown, best known for playing Dot Cotton in EastEnders, has been awarded an OBE for services to drama and to charity.
Longtime Coronation Street actor William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow in the soap, has also been awarded an OBE for services to drama and charity.
In a year of tremendous sport with the delayed 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is hardly surprising that athletes make up a large number of the well known faces recognised in this year’s awards.
Married Olympians Laura and Jason Kenny lead the way, with Laura receiving a Damehood and Jason a Knighthood for services to cycling.
Athlete and Paralympian Kadeena Cox becomes an OBE, as does wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft, Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley, and Manager of Chelsea Women, Emma Hayes.
The most successful British swimmer of all time, Adam Peaty, has also been bestowed with an OBE, as has gymnast Max Whitlock, sailer Hannah Mills and motorcycle racer Jonathan Rae.
Teenage tennis sensation and US Open champion Emma Raducanu has been awarded an MBE for her historic triumph in 2021.
Also receiving MBEs are dancer Ashley Banjo, diver Matty Lee, athlete Lauren Steadman and triathlete Jonathan Brownlee.
Comedian and presenter of Channel 4’s The Last Leg, Adam Hills, has been awarded an MBE for services to Paralympic sport and disability awareness.
The oldest person on the List is Henry Lewis, who at the age of 102 is Honorary Vice President of magician’s society The Magic Circle and receives an MBE for services to fundraising and charitable causes.
Speaking upon release of the 2022 New Year Honours list, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “These recipients have inspired and entertained us and given so much to their communities in the UK or in many cases around the world.
“The honours are an opportunity for us to thank them, as a country, for their dedication and outstanding contribution.”
612 women are recognised in the 2022 List which represents 47.9% of all candidates.
15.1% of the successful candidates come from an ethnic minority background, 13.3% are disabled or have a long term health condition, and 3.5% are LGBT.
The Cabinet Office also states that 25.5% of recipients considered themselves to come from a lower socio-economic background.