New Year’s Honours awarded to Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance
Britain’s Covid heroes are recognised in the New Year Honours today, with top gongs for Government scientific advisers Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance – and an MBE for Kate Garraway.
The scientists were among hundreds who were awarded for ‘Covid-related service’, which accounted for nearly a fifth of all those recognised.
Meanwhile TV presenter Miss Garraway, 54, received her honour for services to broadcasting after documenting husband Derek Draper’s battle with the illness.
Britain’s Covid heroes are recognised in the New Year Honours today, with top gongs for Government scientific advisers Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance
Meanwhile TV presenter Kate Garraway, 54, received her MBE honour for services to broadcasting after documenting husband Derek Draper’s battle with the illness
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick (left), 61, will get an upgrade to become a knight commander of the Order of the Bath. Chief medical officer Professor Whitty (right) , 55, is also made a knight commander of the Order of the Bath
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated professionals who have worked relentlessly throughout the pandemic providing expert advice so we can keep people safe.
‘This year the Honours List rightly recognises those whose efforts have helped us deliver world-leading testing and vaccination programmes, and I am deeply grateful for their hard work.’
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick, 61, will get an upgrade to become a knight commander of the Order of the Bath.
Professor Whitty’s deputy, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, 57, becomes a knight bachelor
Dr Jenny Harries (left), 63, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, will become a dame for services to health. Damehoods also go to NHS England vaccine deployment lead Dr Emily Lawson and Dr June Raine (right), chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Scottish chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith (pictured) and his Welsh counterpart Dr Frank Atherton were also knighted for services to public health
He was already a knight bachelor – the standard level of knighthood – after being honoured in 2019. He said last night he was ‘pleased to see so many outstanding scientists and engineers recognised’.
Chief medical officer Professor Whitty, 55, is also made a knight commander of the Order of the Bath.
Sir Trevor, the equalities tsar
Trvor Phillips, 62, was the founding chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and was previously the head of the Commission for Racial Equality
Broadcaster and former government equalities tsar Trevor Phillips has been knighted for services to human rights.
Mr Phillips, 62, was the founding chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and was previously the head of the Commission for Racial Equality.
The presenter – who has fronted Sky News’ Sunday morning programme while Sophy Ridge is on maternity leave – has highlighted the lack of diversity at the highest levels of politics, business and the media.
His deputy, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, 57, becomes a knight bachelor.
Dr Jenny Harries, 63, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, will become a dame for services to health. Damehoods also go to NHS England vaccine deployment lead Dr Emily Lawson and Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Scottish chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith and his Welsh counterpart Dr Frank Atherton were also knighted for services to public health.
The pandemic dominated the list, with 207 people honoured for services ‘during Covid-19’ and 17 specifically for ‘services to the Covid-19 response’.
Vaccine developers around the world were also rewarded in the overseas and international list for helping give Britain one of best jab rollouts on the planet.
American Pfizer chief development officer Rod MacKenzie and German BioNTech chief business and commercial officer Sean Marett are both made Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to vaccine development and distribution.
Moderna chief development officer Melanie Ivarsson, who is also American, receives an OBE.
In Britain, Mohammed Aziz, Boots director of healthcare services, is awarded an OBE for providing testing for Covid.
Major supermarket chiefs were awarded for keeping supply chains running.
Former Asda chief executive Roger Burnley, 55, and Co-Op chief executive Steven Murrells, 56, both received CBEs, while Morrisons supply chain manager Angela Johnson got an MBE.
Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Sir Paul Nurse, 72, who is made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, said this year’s honours list was a ‘recognition of the importance’ of science.
Away from the pandemic, former Labour MP Frank Field, 79, joined Sir Paul in being appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour. Lord Field of Birkenhead, who has been a politician for 40 years, said: ‘It’s a terrific privilege.’
Tory former ministers Robert Buckland and Caroline Dinenage are also in line for honours.
Ex-justice secretary Mr Buckland, who was sacked in Boris Johnson’s reshuffle in September to make way for Dominic Raab, is made a knight.
Gosport MP Miss Dinenage, who was ousted as minister of state for digital and culture, is made a dame.
Government sources insisted the honours were for their ministerial service, rather than a consolation for being sacked.
Major supermarket chiefs were awarded for keeping supply chains running. Former Asda chief executive Roger Burnley (left), 55, and Co-Op chief executive Steven Murrells (right), 56, both received CBEs, while Morrisons supply chain manager Angela Johnson got an MBE
Away from the pandemic, former Labour MP Frank Field (above), 79, joined Sir Paul in being appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour. Lord Field of Birkenhead, who has been a politician for 40 years, said: ‘It’s a terrific privilege’
Tory former ministers Robert Buckland (left) and Caroline Dinenage (right) are also in line for honours. Ex-justice secretary Mr Buckland, who was sacked in Boris Johnson’s reshuffle in September to make way for Dominic Raab, is made a knight. Gosport MP Miss Dinenage, who was ousted as minister of state for digital and culture, is made a dame
Regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, the 84-year-old has become Dame Vanessa in recognition of her services to drama
At 84, Vanessa Redgrave decides there’s nothing like a damehood
By ELEANOR SHARPLES for the Daily Mail
She is a lifelong socialist and turned down a damehood in 1999 as she objected to any honour linked to the ‘British Empire’.
But Vanessa Redgrave appears to have overcome her qualms as she today accepts the award in the New Year Honours List.
Regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, the 84-year-old has become Dame Vanessa in recognition of her services to drama.
Other actors honoured today include former Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley, who has also been made a dame.
Dame Vanessa, who won an Oscar for her role in the 1977 film Julia, was previously honoured in 1967 when she was given a CBE.
Questioned about reports that she had turned down a damehood, she said in 2002: ‘My difficulty is in receiving anything that says British Empire because I am a Unicef special representative at the service of children from any country. If there were no mention of the British Empire, I would be as honoured as anybody. ‘
At a press conference at the Venice Film Festival in 2018, the actress claimed that she had declined the damehood in protest at the Iraq War and former prime minister Tony Blair.
But the Iraq War did not start until 2003. Dame Vanessa said at the time that she would ‘never say I refused an honour from the Queen’. But she added: ‘But I could not and would not accept any honour from Mr Blair, when he has taken our country, and so many people, to war on the basis of a lie.’
Dame Joanna, 75, who was awarded an OBE in 1995, has been honoured for her services to drama, entertainment and charitable causes. She said: ‘I am astonished and thrilled and touched beyond words…’
The actress, known for roles in The New Avengers and as the boozy Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, has also made a name for herself fighting for the rights of Gurkhas to settle in the UK.
Meanwhile, actor Daniel Craig, 53, whose final film as 007, No Time to Die, was released this autumn, was given the rare honour of being made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) – the same award given to Bond in Ian Fleming’s novels. A CMG is normally given to those who have performed extraordinary services abroad.
Other actors honoured today include former Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley (left), who has also been made a dame. Elsewhere, Melanie Brown (right), 46, of the Spice Girls, better known as Mel B, has been made an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women’s Aid
Actor Daniel Craig, 53, whose final film as 007, No Time to Die, was released this autumn, was given the rare honour of being made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) – the same award given to Bond in Ian Fleming’s novels. A CMG is normally given to those who have performed extraordinary services abroad
The movies’ producer, Barbara Broccoli, 61, was awarded a CBE for services to film, as was her half-brother, Bond producer and scriptwriter Michael Wilson, 79.
There were also CBEs for film director Paul Greengrass, 66, who created the rival Jason Bourne movies, and author Anthony Horowitz, also 66, who has written three Bond novels. Other stars to be recognised include newsreader Moira Stuart, who has been given a CBE.
Sir Elton John’s lyricist, Bernie Taupin, 71, was also awarded a CBE in the overseas and international list for his work in music.
Coronation Street’s William Roache, 89, who appeared in the show’s very first episode as Ken Barlow in December 1960, has been awarded an OBE for his services to drama and charity.
Cherylee Houston, 47, who played wheelchair user Izzy Armstrong in the soap, has been given an MBE for her work in drama and for people with disabilities.
Coronation Street’s William Roache (left), 89, who appeared in the show’s very first episode as Ken Barlow in December 1960, has been awarded an OBE for his services to drama and charity. Sir Elton John’s lyricist, Bernie Taupin (right), 71, was also awarded a CBE in the overseas and international list for his work in music
Former EastEnders stars June Brown, 94, who played Dot Cotton, and Nitin Ganatra, 54, who appeared as Masood Ahmed, were both given OBEs.
Elsewhere, Melanie Brown, 46, of the Spice Girls, better known as Mel B, has been made an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women’s Aid.
Film director John Boorman, 88, whose movies include 1967’s Point Blank, is knighted, while Alistair Spalding, 64, boss of Sadler’s Wells Theatre, has also received one for his work in dance. Ashley Banjo, 33, of Britain’s Got Talent-winning dance troupe Diversity, was also awarded an MBE for services to dance.
Television presenter Katie Piper, 38, who survived an acid attack in 2008 and went on to found The Katie Piper Foundation, is awarded an OBE for her services to charity and victims of disfigurement injuries.
Australian comedian Adam Hills, 51, who hosts Channel 4’s The Last Leg, is made an MBE for services to Paralympic sport and disability awareness.
And Pauline Black, 68, lead singer of two-tone band The Selecter, has been made an OBE for services to entertainment.
Youngest awarded at 11… and the oldest at 102
The youngest ever recipient of a New Year Honour said he was ‘chuffed to bits’ and cannot wait to pick up his award.
Tobias Weller, 11, who has cerebral palsy and autism, was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore to start raising money during the pandemic.
He raised over £157,000 by completing three challenges. After receiving his British Empire Medal, Tobias, of Sheffield, said: ‘My mum told me about the honour on Christmas Day and I thought, ‘Wow, I’m actually going to get an honour from Her Majesty the Queen’.’
Meanwhile, Henry Lewis was the oldest on the list at 102. The honorary vice president of magician’s society The Magic Circle received an MBE for services to fundraising and charitable causes.
The youngest ever recipient of a New Year Honour said he was ‘chuffed to bits’ and cannot wait to pick up his award. Tobias Weller, 11, who has cerebral palsy and autism, was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore to start raising money during the pandemic
Henry Lewis was the oldest on the list at 102. The honorary vice president of magician’s society The Magic Circle received an MBE for services to fundraising and charitable causes
Another first for golden couple Laura and Jason
By ANDY JEHRING for the Daily Mail
Olympic champions Laura and Jason Kenny are the first husband and wife ever to be made knight and dame in the same honours list – while an MBE completes a fairytale year for Emma Raducanu.
The Kennys now have another accolade to add to their Olympic titles after receiving the awards for services to cycling.
Kenny, 33, drew level with Sir Bradley Wiggins’ record of eight medals when he picked up a silver in the team sprint at Tokyo this summer. He now has six gold and two silver medals, while his wife, 29, has five gold medals and one silver.
Olympic champions Laura and Jason Kenny are the first husband and wife ever to be made knight and dame in the same honours list
The Kennys now have another accolade to add to their Olympic titles after receiving the awards for services to cycling
The couple, who have a four-year-old son, Albie, said they were ‘humbled and also very proud’ last night, and thanked the ‘whole team of people behind us’.
Tennis sensation Miss Raducanu, 19, caps off a dazzling breakthrough year with an MBE to add to her BBC Sports Personality of the Year and US Open win in New York. ‘It makes me immensely proud and grateful,’ she said. ‘This year has been full of amazing surprises for me so to end 2021 with this appointment is very special.’
Diver Tom Daley, 27, picks up an OBE for services to LGBTQ+ rights, while fellow swimmer and Strictly Come Dancing star Adam Peaty, also 27, also got an OBE.
Paralympian Lauren Steadman, 29, another Strictly star, is awarded an MBE while seven-time Paralympic sprint champion Hannah Cockcroft, 29, is made an OBE. They are among 78 athletes honoured following their success at Tokyo 2020.
Tennis sensation Emma Raducanu, 19, caps off a dazzling breakthrough year with an MBE to add to her BBC Sports Personality of the Year and US Open win in New York
Paralympian Lauren Steadman, 29, another Strictly star, is awarded an MBE
Diver Tom Daley, 27, picks up an OBE for services to LGBTQ+ rights
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis receives a CBE
Consumer champion Martin Lewis has been made a CBE in the latest New Year Honours list for services to broadcasting and consumer rights
Consumer champion Martin Lewis has been made a CBE in the latest New Year Honours list for services to broadcasting and consumer rights.
But the finance expert said he almost missed out after Buckingham Palace sent his nomination to an old address.
He said: ‘I was genuinely very surprised. I knew some people had nominated me but it was way past the time when you’re supposed to receive a letter.
‘I then found out they had sent the letter to an old address and when I hadn’t responded they got in touch, so I was properly gobsmacked.’
The founder of the Money Saving Expert website added: ‘The timing of this is pertinent and I’m not surprised because it’s been a difficult couple of years for everyone.’
It comes after a period in which he got to grips with helping households and businesses navigate the pandemic and ensuring people could claim what they were entitled to under various Government support schemes.
He said: ‘I had to learn quite a lot in a short time in helping to communicate to the public what help they could get and where they needed to seek it, along with communicating with the Government to point out the holes in what they were offering, and, let’s be clear, there are holes.’
Asked whether he thinks the latest honour, which follows an OBE in 2014, will lead him to be less critical of the Government, he said he will not let up his campaigning.
‘Whilst I do not have an axe to grind with any political party, I will grind my axe over specific issues. I was grinding my axe after I got my OBE in 2014 and I hope to be grinding my axe until my hair is white.’
The broadcaster added: ‘Now my hope is all our lives soon return to normal, and my little girl, who was just a baby when I got presented (with) the OBE, can this time join my wife and I, when I get to receive this priceless honour.’
Mr Lewis is also founder of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute charity, and presenter of the Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV.