The 2025 New Year Honours list celebrates over 1,200 individuals from across British society, recognizing achievements ranging from Olympic glory to community service, with former England manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry leading the recipients with knighthoods. Notable Knights and Dames The highest honors include knighthoods for:
Gareth Southgate for leading England to consecutive Euros finals Stephen Fry for mental health awareness and environmental work Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London Andy Street, former West Midlands mayor Loyd Grossman for services to heritage
Labour MP Emily Thornberry joins the ranks of dames, while Sir Kazuo Ishiguro receives the rare Companion of Honour, joining an elite group limited to 65 members. Entertainment and Arts Several stars of screen and stage are recognized:
Sarah Lancashire (CBE) for services to drama following her acclaimed role in Happy Valley Carey Mulligan (CBE) for services to drama Anne Reid (CBE), beloved for roles including Valerie Barlow in Coronation Street Tom Baker (MBE), the legendary Doctor Who star Kevin Whately (OBE) of Lewis fame Anne-Marie Duff (OBE) Steve Lamacq (MBE), BBC Radio 6 Music DJ
Olympic and Paralympic Heroes The Paris Olympics success is celebrated with honors for:
Keely Hodgkinson (MBE), 800m champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson (MBE), heptathlete Tom Pidcock (OBE), cyclist Helen Glover (OBE), rower Duncan Scott (OBE), Scotland’s most decorated Olympian Hannah Cockroft (CBE), four-time Paralympic gold medalist
Justice and Activism The Post Office Horizon scandal campaigners receive recognition:
Lee Castleton (OBE) Jo Hamilton (OBE) Christopher Head (OBE) Seema Misra (OBE) Rebecca Thomson (OBE), the journalist who broke the story
Domestic violence and abuse campaigners honored include:
Julie Devey and Carole Gould (OBEs), co-founders of Killed Women Nicholas Gazzard (OBE), founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust Soma Sara (MBE), founder of Everyone’s Invited
Personal Triumphs Stephen Fry spoke movingly about his honor, reflecting on his journey from troubled youth to national treasure: “I think the most emotional thing is when I think of my childhood, and my dreadful unhappiness and misery and stupidity… For my parents, really, what a disaster. Every time the phone rang, they thought, ‘Oh God, what has Stephen done now’.” Myleene Klass, appointed MBE for work on women’s health and miscarriage awareness, shared her own emotional journey: “When I think back to how all of this started, it all came from a very dark place… Anyone that’s suffered the pain of baby loss or miscarriage, you just go into survival mode.” Community Heroes The list celebrates numerous unsung heroes, including:
Anne Croucher, a Tesco worker who provided Easter chocolates to care home residents Malcolm Fletcher, founder of the Ely Military Band Joan Lockley, founder of West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue
Age knows no bounds in service, with 103-year-old WWII veteran Colin Bell receiving the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for charity work, while 18-year-olds Mikayla Beames and para-swimmer William Ellard represent the youngest honorees. The honors list, recommended by the Prime Minister and senior government ministers for the King’s approval, continues to reflect Britain’s diverse achievements and contributions to public life, from grassroots community work to international sporting success.
