Joe Wicks and Marcus Rashford honoured alongside coronavirus heroes in Queen's list

David Attenborough, Mr Motivator, Dizzee Rascal, Mary Berry included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Author: Chris MaskeryPublished 9th Oct 2020

There are famous faces alongside key workers and volunteers in this year's Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Covid-19 heroes dominate the list with people like Marcus Rashford and Joe Wicks as well as medical workers, fundraisers and volunteers who have been instrumental in the Covid-19 effort.

This year’s list was postponed from June in order to include people who'd helped during the coronavirus pandemic.

Who is in the Queen's birthday honours list?

There are 1,495 people on the list, celebrating selfless good deeds of big names as well as ordinary people during the pandemic, which saw delivery drivers drop off food and medicine to vulnerable people and health and care workers put themselves at risk to help their communities and beyond.

Here are some of the big names and celebrities you may recognise:

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford has been made an MBE after his efforts in ensuring children in need received meals across the summer during the pandemic.
His campaign forced the Government to make a U-turn over its free school meals provision and now he is being honoured for services to vulnerable children in the UK during Covid-19

Joe Wicks

Body coach Joe Wicks is also being made an MBE for helping children keep active and mentally fit during lockdown with his daily online PE lessons.
Mr Wicks said: "My childhood and how I grew up, if you met me as a little boy you'd have thought 'He's not going to go anywhere, he's not going to do anything great'.
"But I've turned it around and I really am proud I've become this person who's helping people."

David Attenborough

National treasure, Sir David Attenborough, receives an upgrade to Knight Grand Cross in the diplomatic list for services to broadcasting and conservation.

Mary Berry

Mary Berry, who was made a CBE in 2012, is being made a dame for services to broadcasting, the culinary arts and charity. She said she was "absolutely overwhelmed" at receiving a damehood, adding: "I just wish my parents and brothers were here to share my joy, as my only achievement at school was just one O-level – in cookery of course.
"However, I am sure they are looking down and smiling. "

Maureen Lipman

Veteran actress Maureen Lipman, best known for her roles in BT adverts in the 1980s and currently in Coronation Street receives a damehood for her services to charity, entertainment and the arts during her 50-year career.

Dizzee Rascal

For services to music, British rapper Dizzee Rascal has been been made an MBE.

Mr Motivator

Derrick Evans, more commonly known as Mr Motivator, who has been made an MBE after creating online home exercises during lockdown and hosting a week-long workout with Linda Lusardi to raise money for Age UK's Emergency Coronavirus Appeal. The television star said he initially thought he was being "scammed" when told of the honour, adding that it was "wonderful to be acknowledged in this way".

Jeff Lynne

Singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer Lynne has been made an OBE for services to music. He is best known as co-founder and vocalist for the innovative rock band Electric Light Orchestra.

David Suchet

Actor David Suchet is knighted for services to drama and charity.

Tommy Steele

Tommy Steele, 83, has been made a knight for services to entertainment and charity after a six-decade career. The singer and actor rose to fame with '50s hits like Singing The Blues, which cast him as the UK's first teen idol, and earned comparisons with Elvis Presley. Steele, born Thomas Hicks in Bermondsey, south-east London, has also appeared on Broadway and in the West End, and was made an OBE in 1980.

Brian Cox

TV's Professor Brian Cox gets a CBE

Lorraine Kelly

TV legend Lorraine Kelly has recieved a CBE

Adrian Lester

Actor Adrian Lester has been made a CBE

Mica Paris

Soap star and singer Mica Paris, who recently joined the cast of EastEnders, is being made an MBE for services to music, entertainment and charity.

Brendan Foster

In sport, former long distance runner Brendan Foster receives a knighthood for services to international and national sport and culture in the North East. "It is a real privilege to receive this honour," said the athlete, who was presented with his first medal by the Queen at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games 50 years ago.

Warren Gatland

Rugby union coach Warren Gatland has been awarded a CBE for services to the sport in Wales. Under the 57-year-old New Zealander, Wales won four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams, reached the World Cup semi-finals twice and briefly topped the world rankings.

Alun Wyn Jones

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has been made an OBE for services to rugby union

Phil Redmond

Phil Redmond, the creator of Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks, has been knighted for services to broadcasting and arts in the regions.

Gareth Thomas

Former Lions captain Gareth Thomas has been awarded a CBE for services to sport and health. The Welshman came out as gay in 2009 and a decade later revealed he was HIV positive with undetectable status. The 46-year-old earlier this year launched the Tackle HIV campaign to improve public understanding of HIV and break the stigma around it.

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