Post Office hero Alan Bates knighted in King’s Birthday honours as cycling legend, music star and Strictly duo get gongs
POST Office hero Alan Bates has been awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours for his relentless quest to win justice for wrongly jailed sub-postmasters.
The 69-year-old, who fought Post Office bosses for more than 20 years, said he hoped to use the honour to help those still being affected by the scandal.
More than 700 sub-postmasters were prosecuted by the Post Office and given criminal convictions between 1999 and 2015 after Fujitsu’s faulty Horizon accounting system made it appear as though money was missing at their branches.
Sir Alan, from Llandudno, said of his knighthood: “It was a bit of a surprise, it sort of came out of the blue. I’m quite honoured by it — to be recognised for the work that I’ve done over the years. It’s been a hard slog over many years.”
Sir Alan, who was played by Toby Jones in ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office earlier this year, said he hoped the honour would be “another string to my bow to help me go forward and get some finality for people”.
He previously rejected an OBE while former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells still had her CBE but she has since given it back.
Elsewhere, former PM Gordon Brown, 73, has been made a Companion of Honour — granted to those who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine or government over a long period of time.
There are only 65 members at any one time.
Tracey Emin, 60, has been made a dame for services to art.
Former Gurkha Hari Budha, 44, a double amputee who climbed Mount Everest, becomes an MBE.
He is now taking on the highest peaks on each continent.
Three dads who each lost daughters to suicide have been made MBEs.
Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen founded the 3 Dads Walking campaign and trekked across the UK to raise money for Papyrus, a suicide prevention charity.
London Stock Exchange chief executive Julia Hoggett is made a dame and Revenue and Customs chief executive Jim Harra becomes a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.
Lulu Lytle, the designer who refurbished Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat, has been made an OBE for services to manufacturing and craftsmanship.
Shamza Butt, 20, is the youngest in the list, receiving a British Empire Medal for her work with the National Citizen Service.
Harold Jones, 100, was the oldest, receiving a BEM for his fund-raising for motor neurone disease charities in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.
It’s Simon Le gong!
DURAN Duran frontman Simon Le Bon has said he is “beyond thrilled” to receive a MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
The Eighties heart-throb, now 65, and Strictly stars Amy Dowden and Rose Ayling-Ellis are among those celebrated in the showbiz world.
Simon, who wins his award for services to music and charity, said the gong was “a bright but humbling highlight” in his career.
The Girls on Film singer said it was “fitting” the honour was awarded not just for music but for his work for causes “outside the band”.
He said: “To name but two, I hope this moment helps to raise awareness for the Blue Marine Foundation and the importance of their conservation work, and for Centrepoint. Their mission for over 50 years to put an end to homelessness in the UK is vital.”
Actress Rose, 29, who first found fame on EastEnders, is made an MBE for voluntary services to the deaf community.
She won a Bafta for her “Couple’s Choice” routine on Strictly in 201 with partner Giovanni Pernice.
In May 2022, she became the first celebrity reader to perform a CBeebies bedtime story in sign language.
Dancer Amy is an MBE for services raising awareness of Crohn’s disease.
The star, 33, said she was accepting it “on behalf” of all those who live with the inflammatory bowel disease.
Caerphilly-born Amy, who recently overcame breast cancer after a mastectomy and chemotherapy, said: “I’m so thrilled to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”
Among others to bag an MBE is Countdown’s Susie Dent.
The lexicographer, 59, who has been in Dictionary Corner since 1992, said: “I’m thrilled.
“I’ve tried to share the joy of language and of books (above all, the dictionary) and so I’m especially delighted to be honoured for my contribution to language and literature.”
Corrie actress Shobna Gulati, 57, who starred in the soap for 12 years, gets an MBE for services to the cultural industries.
Singer Heather Small, 59, a founding member and lead vocalist of M People, is made an MBE for her voluntary and charitable work.
X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson, 37, who is now an activist in the music industry, has also landed an MBE as has TV presenter Nick Owen, 76, who is honoured for his services to broadcasting and charity.
The Thick of It writer Armando Iannucci, 60, has received an OBE for services to film and television.
World’s shortest stuntman Kiran Shah, 67, gets an MBE for his work in almost 70 films including Titanic, The Lord of the Rings and Superman.
Kiran, who is 4ft 2ins, said: “This accolade is a testament to my perseverance and passion for my work, despite any obstacles I have faced.”
Sir Cav & Lady Peta
CYCLING great Mark Cavendish is knighted for services to his sport and his charity work.
The Manx star — married to former Page 3 model Peta — won a joint record 34 Tour de France stages and was an omnium silver medallist in the 2016 Olympics.
Sir Mark, 39, said: “I’m truly humbled to be honoured by His Majesty the King.
“It’s always been the biggest privilege to represent my country — and seeing cycling as the sport, pastime and mode of transport I’ve given my life to.”
Former Scotland football stars Graeme Souness and Ally McCoist are also recognised.
Souness becomes a CBE for services to the game and charity.
McCoist is an OBE for services to footie and broadcasting.
Other sports figures honoured are cyclist Chris Boardman, who is made a CBE, golfer Sandy Lyle, who becomes an OBE, and former England football coach Chris Powell, made an MBE.
Sprinter Anita Neil, the first black woman to compete for Britain at an Olympic Games in 1968, has been made an MBE.
