Stars receive awards in Queen's Birthday Honours

Veteran singer Rod Stewart and orbiting British astronaut Tim Peake are among 1,149 people to be acclaimed in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Anthony McPartlin  and Declan Donnelly, aka Ant and Dec, have both been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday HonoursAnthony McPartlin  and Declan Donnelly, aka Ant and Dec, have both been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, aka Ant and Dec, have both been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours

Other well-known faces to be honoured include Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, TV duo Ant and Dec and actress Penelope Wilton.

Ant and Dec said: “We are just two ordinary lads from the west end of Newcastle.

Rod Stewart who has been awarded a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday HonoursRod Stewart who has been awarded a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours
Rod Stewart who has been awarded a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours
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“We hope us receiving this honour can inspire young people to chase their dreams and believe that anything is possible.

“This will definitely be the proudest our mams have ever been.”

London-born Stewart, 71, received a knighthood for his services to music and charity.

In another record for Major Peake, his CMG – Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George – made him the first person to be honoured while in space.

Rod Stewart who has been awarded a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday HonoursRod Stewart who has been awarded a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours
Rod Stewart who has been awarded a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours
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Dame Vera, 99, joined the likes of Sir David Attenborough, Dame Maggie Smith and Stephen Hawking in becoming a Companion of Honour, as did former governor of the BBC, Lord Smith of Kelvin.

Ant and Dec received OBEs for services to broadcasting and entertainment.

A string of stars from the sporting world were also recognised for their achievements, with record-breaking England cricket captain Alastair Cook and former England football skipper Alan Shearer receiving CBEs for their services to cricket and charity, respectively.

Andy Murray’s older brother Jamie Murray was given an OBE for services to tennis and charity, and Cup captain Leon Smith received the same honour for his services to the sport.

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Despite calls for England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad to be knighted in The Queen’s 90th birthday honours – to mark the 50th anniversary of the famous win – none of them featured on the list.

Seventy per cent of the awards went to people who had undertaken outstanding work in or for their local community, either in a voluntary or paid capacity. Around 10.8 per cent were for work in education and 7.3 per cent in health.

Industry and the economy made up 12.8 per cent of the list, with science and technology honours 3.3 per cent.