The New Year Honours list for 2026 has been unveiled, celebrating a remarkable array of talent from the worlds of sport, entertainment, and public service. Leading this year's recipients are actor and philanthropist Sir Idris Elba and Olympic ice dancing legends Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean.
Stars of Screen and Ice Honoured
Idris Elba, the acclaimed star of 'The Wire' and 'Luther', has been awarded a knighthood for his extensive services to young people. The 53-year-old actor founded the Elba Hope Foundation, which focuses on community empowerment, education, and youth advocacy. Sir Idris stated that he accepted the honour on behalf of the young people who inspire the foundation's work, emphasising the need for sustained support to provide alternatives to violence.
Meanwhile, Britain's beloved ice dancing pair, Jayne Torvill, 68, and Christopher Dean, 67, have been made a Dame and a Sir respectively. The duo, who won Olympic gold in Sarajevo in 1984 and became household names through 'Dancing on Ice', were recognised for services to ice skating and voluntary service. Dame Jayne described the honour as the perfect end to a year in which they performed on ice for the final time, while Sir Christopher said the accolade was something they never expected to happen.
Sporting Triumphs Recognised
The honours list heavily features England's triumphant women's sports teams. Following their UEFA Euro victory, Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has been appointed a CBE. Teammates Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, and Ella Toone all receive MBEs. The team's manager, Sarina Wiegman, who has now won the Euros twice with England, is awarded an honorary damehood.
England's Women's Rugby World Cup-winning squad, the Red Roses, is also strongly represented. Marlie Packer and Zoe Aldcroft become OBEs, as does head coach John Mitchell. World Cup winners Ellie Kildunne, Sadia Kabeya, and Megan Jones are made MBEs. In other sporting honours, three-time London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe becomes an OBE.
Broad Recognition Across Society
The 2026 list, comprising 1,157 recipients, showcases wide-ranging contributions. In arts and entertainment, actress Meera Syal is made a Dame, while broadcaster Gabby Logan, actor Warwick Davis, and author Richard Osman receive OBEs. Football commentator Clive Tyldesley is also appointed OBE.
The list also honours those dedicated to campaigning and public service. This includes 92-year-old Betty Brown, thought to be the oldest victim of the Horizon IT scandal, who is made an OBE, and 101-year-old D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, who receives a British Empire Medal for services to Holocaust remembrance.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the recipients, stating the list celebrates people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities. The data reveals a diverse list: 67% of recipients live outside London and the South East, half of those at CBE level and above are women, and 10% come from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The oldest recipient is 102-year-old John Hearn, awarded a BEM for services to judo, while the youngest is 20-year-old Olympic gold medal-winning climber Toby Roberts, who becomes an MBE.
