Idris Elba, Torvill and Dean star in Britain’s New Year honours

January 2, 2026 – 4:52 PM

Cast member Idris Elba poses on the red carpet during arrivals for the screening of the movie “A House of Dynamite” in competition, at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, September 2, 2025. (Reuters/Yara Nardi/File Photo)

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Elba, who is known for his roles in the television series “Luther” and “The Wire”, was awarded a knighthood for his anti-knife crime campaigning with young people.

Torvill and Dean, whose 1984 Olympic Bolero routine earned perfect scores and became a defining moment in British sport, were both honoured – she as a dame and he as a knight.

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“This year’s honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.

Cynthia Erivo, an Oscar-nominated and Emmy, Grammy and Tony award-winning actor who is best known for her lead role as Elphaba Thropp in the 2024 musical film “Wicked,” was given an Order of the British Empire.

Warwick Davis, who has appeared in the “Star Wars”, “Harry Potter” and “Willow” franchises, and founded the dwarfism charity Little People UK, was also awarded an OBE.

Actor and writer Meera Syal, whose credits include “Goodness Gracious Me”, “The Kumars at No. 42” and the novel “Anita and Me”, was made a dame.

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chief executive Simon Roberts was awarded a CBE, as was former National Grid

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boss John Pettigrew.

The New Year honors, which have been awarded since at least 1890, aim to recognize not just well-known figures but people who have contributed to national life through often unsung work over many years.

Those honoured will receive their awards at investiture ceremonies held later in 2026 at royal residences such as Buckingham Palace.

—Reporting by Andy Bruce; editing by Barbara Lewis