Arise Sir Idris: Luther actor is knighted for his campaign against knife crime while the Lionesses lead sporting heroes recognised by the King in the New Year's Honours
The odds may have slipped for the star of Luther and The Wire to become 007 but he has been recognised for his work campaigning against knife crime.
For years he was tipped to take over on His Majesty's secret service as the next James Bond and now Idris Elba is to be knighted by the King.
The odds may have slipped for the star of Luther and The Wire to become 007 but he has been recognised for his work campaigning against knife crime.
Sir Idris, 53, is among a string of top celebrities to receive gongs in the New Year's Honours while ice dancers and the Lionesses lead stars of the sporting world.
The actor, whose Elba Hope Foundation supports youth advocacy, said he was accepting the honour on behalf of the 'many young people' at his charity who inspire his work.
Sir Idris said: 'I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.'
Jayne Torvill, 68, and Christopher Dean, 67, are made a Dame and a Knight for services to ice skating and to voluntary service.
The pair took home Olympic gold at the 1984 Winter Games before gaining household fame appearing on Dancing on Ice.
Actor Idris Elba has been knighted for his campaigning against knife crime
The actor, whose Elba Hope Foundation supports youth advocacy, said he was accepting the honour on behalf of the 'many young people' at his charity who inspire his work
Sir Christopher, who faced an agonising wait as his letter came three days after that of his skating partner, said: 'It's such an amazing award to receive this and we're really humbled by it.'
Dame Jayne said the timing felt 'perfect' as the pair completed their final ever tour earlier this year.
A year after former Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate was knighted, the Lionesses Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman, 56, was awarded with an honorary damehood.
Her squad featured heavily following their second Euros win in the summer with captain Leah Williamson, 28, made a CBE and teammates Alex Greenwood, 32, Keira Walsh, 28, Georgia Stanway, 26, and Ella Toone, also 26, made MBES.
Wiegman, who cannot receive a substantive damehood as she is not British, said: 'I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honour.