There are some famous faces among the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Queer musician Marc Almond has been awarded an OBE. Almond is best known for being the lead singer of Soft Cell, whose recording of Tainted Love has enjoyed continual airplay since it was released almost four decades ago.

Almond, who is now 60,  has enjoyed a solo career including a chart topping duet with the late Gene Pitney. The pair re-recorded Pitney’s 1960’s tune Somethings Gotten Hold of My Heart. The singer has sold over 30 million albums, his 30th record Shadows and Reflections was released in 2017.

Ringo Star has been given a knighthood for his services to music. The Beatles drummer was given an MBE back in the 1960’s and now has a knighthood to match ex-band mate Sir Paul McCartney.

Ballet dancer turned TV star Darcy Bussell has been made a dame. Bussell currently serves as a judge on the popular British TV program Strictly Come Dancing. 

BeeGee Barry Gibb has also been given an knighthood for his services to music and charity. Gibb received a CBE in 2002 alongside his late brothers and bandmates, Maurice and Robin. Today he said the honour was as musch theirs as it was his.

TV star Hugh Laurie has been awarded a CBE, he was previously given an OBE in 2007. Laurie got his start on British television alongside Stephen Fry, before finding continued success in the TV series Black Adder. He spent several years in the USA starring in the TV show House and more recently played a corrupt arms dealer in The Night Manager and appeared on the comedy series Veep. 

Musician Wiley, the godfather of grime, has been awarded a MBE, while author Jilly Cooper has been recognised for her books and services to charity. Cooper was given an CBE, she was previously awarded with an OBE 13 years ago.

Actress Julia McKenzie who stars as Agatha Christie’s  Miss Marple on TV, and previously appeared in the sitcoms Fresh Fields and French Fields has been given a CBE.

Game of Thrones actor James Cosmo was awarded an MBE for his services to drama. The Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch first appeared on British TV screens back in 1965. Cosmo has a long list of film and TV credits including appearances in Trainspotting, The Virgin Soldiers, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Bill, Soldier Soldier and many others.

Celebrity chef Rick Stein has been awarded a CBE for his services to the economy. Through his cooking shows Stein has encouraged people to buy British products, he also is a successful restaurant owner.

OIP Staff