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9 Jan 2026 7:10
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  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Idris Elba has been knighted by King Charles

    The 53-year-old actor - whose Elba Hope Foundation supports youth advocacy - was included on the monarch's New Year's Honours List for his work campaigning against knife crime.


    He said: "I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation.

    "I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence."

    Also included among the 1,157 people on the list are Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who took home the Olympic gold at the 1984 Winter Games.

    They have been made a Dame and Sir for services to ice skating and to voluntary service and said it is "wonderful and humbling at the same time".

    Paul Elliott, from the Chuckle Brothers, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), while Little Britain's Matt Lucas, becomes an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

    The Kumars At No 42 actress Meera Syal has been made a Dame, with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo receiving an MBE for services to music and drama.

    Presenter and author Richard Osman, actor Warwick Davis and broadcaster Gabby Logan all receive OBEs.

    Osman said he was "absolutely thrilled", while Davis said: "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me and I've been in Star Wars."

    Many of England's Lionesses have made the list after their exploits at the Euros during the summer.

    Captain Leah Williamson has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), while Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone become MBEs.

    The team's Dutch manager, Sarina Wiegman, has been awarded an honorary damehood.

    She said: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honour. When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I've experienced from the English people. I deeply thank the fans for their support."

    Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "This year's Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain - people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.

    "Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you - and congratulations to everyone recognised today."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

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