LONDON, United Kingdom — Actor Idris Elba has been knighted in the 2026 New Year Honours, as England women’s football coach Sarina Wiegman and several Lionesses headline a list that celebrates excellence across sport, culture, charity, and public service.
Elba, best known for his roles in The Wire, Luther, and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, becomes Sir Idris Elba in recognition of his extensive charity work with young people.
Through the Elba Hope Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife Sabrina, Elba has backed anti-knife crime initiatives and supported youth-focused projects across the UK, the US, and Africa.
A former beneficiary of The Prince’s Trust, Elba said he received the honour “on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience have driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation.”
Wiegman, who guided the Lionesses to a second successive European Championship title last summer—making them the first England football team to win a major trophy on foreign soil—was awarded an honorary damehood.
As a Dutch national, she cannot use the title Dame but was recognised for transforming England women’s football. “When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I’ve experienced,” Wiegman said.
Several members of the title-winning squad were also honoured. England captain Leah Williamson was appointed a CBE, while Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway received MBEs for their contributions to the historic triumph.
In winter sports, iconic figure skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were elevated to Dame and Sir, respectively, recognising their services to ice skating and voluntary work. The pair’s 1984 Olympic gold performance remains one of the most-watched moments in British television history.
Women’s rugby success was also recognised following the Red Roses’ World Cup victory. Lock Zoe Aldcroft, flanker Marlie Packer, and head coach John Mitchell were awarded OBEs, while Megan Jones, Sadia Kabeya, and Ellie Kildunne received MBEs.
The arts and entertainment sector featured prominently. Comedy actor and writer Meera Syal was made a Dame for services to drama, literature and charity.
Warwick Davis and sports broadcaster Gabby Logan were appointed OBEs, while mezzo-soprano Alice Coote received a CBE.
Author and television host Richard Osman and comedian Matt Lucas were also awarded OBEs, alongside MBEs for Bill Bailey, Sally Lindsay, and children’s TV star Paul Chuckle.
Actor and singer Cynthia Erivo, singer Ellie Goulding—recognised for environmental advocacy—and Scottish singer Eve Graham were appointed MBEs.
The honours also highlighted service beyond the spotlight. Betty Brown, the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office Horizon scandal, received an OBE for campaigning against wrongful prosecutions.
Mervyn Kersh, a 99-year-old veteran of the Normandy landings and Bergen-Belsen liberation, was awarded a BEM for Holocaust education, while Holocaust survivor Lydia Tischler was appointed an MBE.
In total, 1,157 recipients were named in this year’s list, ranging from community volunteers to Olympic champions.
The oldest honouree is John Hearn, 102, recognised with a BEM for services to judo and community life, while the youngest is Toby Roberts, 20, an Olympic gold medal-winning sports climber awarded an MBE.
The New Year Honours once again underscored a broad celebration of achievement—on the field, on stage and in service to society—capping a year defined by sporting glory and cultural impact.
Story Credits: BBC
