Dame Shirley Bassey receives Companion of Honour | UK | News | EUROtoday

Dame Shirley Bassey mentioned it was “one of the most wonderful feelings” after being made a Companion of Honour within the King’s New Year Honours listing.

The Welsh singer, 86, was given the elite award for “conspicuous national service” following a lifetime of hits together with classics comparable to Big Spender and Goldfinger.

Dame Shirley declared herself “truly humbled” by the honour, created by the King’s great-grandfather George V.

She earned her gong alongside a roll-call of huge names from showbusiness and sport.

They embody Blade Runner and Napoleon director Sir Ridley Scott, who was made a Knight Grand Cross, and Paul Hollywood, handed an MBE for companies to baking and broadcasting.

Veteran disc jockeys Tony Blackburn and Steve Wright had been honoured for many years of service spinning information, with an OBE and MBE respectively.

England’s Lionesses had been rewarded for following up their 2022 Euros triumph with a run to the ultimate of this 12 months’s World Cup in Australia.

Captain Millie Bright obtained an OBE, whereas goalkeeper Mary Earps and striker Lauren Hemp each got here away with MBEs for companies to soccer.

Rugby’s Sir Bill Beaumont was made Knight Grand Cross, former England cricket captain Stuart Broad turned a CBE, and Peter Shilton, ex-England goalie, an OBE.

Dame Shirley, well-known for her highly effective voice, lavish robes and impoverished upbringing in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay, was overjoyed along with her newest honour.

She mentioned: “Music has been a constant companion in my life.”

“As a little girl growing up in Tiger Bay, I would dream of travelling the world and never imagined that one day my voice would take me to where I am now. Every step of my career has been about taking that chance, believing in myself and making that leap.”

“I live to sing and love to perform. Entertaining audiences for over 70 years has been a privilege. My heart is full of emotion and I am truly humbled.”

The youngest of seven kids, she labored in a manufacturing facility earlier than launching a singing profession by
performing weekends at working males’s golf equipment.

She scored her first hit in 1957 with a model of the Banana Boat Song and has since gone on to promote greater than 140 million information.

As effectively as Goldfinger, she carried out the title track for 2 different James Bond films, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker.

BBC legend Tony, 80, known as his OBE “the icing on a very lovely cake” after his six many years in broadcasting.

A pioneer of pirate stations with Radio Caroline within the early Nineteen Sixties and a BBC stalwart from then on, he added: “Receiving this honour is truly unexpected and very humbling.

“When I first replied to a New Musical Express advert looking for DJs back in 1964, I never imagined that nearly 60 years later, I would still be doing something I love so much.”

“To still be in a radio studio a few times a week, being welcomed into so many listeners’ homes, sharing mine and their memories, and playing the music I love is simply wonderful.”

“To be recognised for my work in broadcasting in this way is testament to all those I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years, on both the BBC and in commercial radio. It really is the best job and to receive this award is the icing on a very lovely cake.”

His fellow DJ – greatest recognized for the Steve Wright BBC2 afternoon present – devoted his MBE to the broadcasters who saved Britain going in the course of the Covid pandemic.

“I love doing my radio shows and try to put in the hours to make them entertaining for listeners,” he mentioned. The 69-year-old, who joined the BBC in 1980, added: “In the back of my mind I know there are people more deserving.

“My dad says, ‘Accept the award with good grace and favour.’ I also dedicate it to all the people in broadcasting who gave comfort
and public service during the pandemic.”

Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, 37, turned an MBE alongside her mom Jenny, with whom she based the mind harm
charity SameYou.

Emilia – who survived a mind haemorrhage throughout her time enjoying the fantasy saga’s Mother Of Dragons – known as the honour “remarkable, life enhancing and magical”.

Her co-star within the present, Oliver Ford Davies, mentioned he was “honoured” to turn into an OBE after a 60-year performing profession.

The 84-year-old added: “But I’m not done yet – next autumn I shall be playing Malvolio for the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond. Then maybe another shot at Lear?”

Former X Factor winner Leona Lewis was made an OBE for her charity work and a string of hits that introduced her nominations for seven Brit awards and three Grammies. The songwriter Don Black mentioned his CBE – for a 60-year profession by which has collaborated with Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Van Morrison and different luminaries – was “wonderful”.

The founding father of the Glastonbury Festival, Michael Eavis, was knighted, and joked after listening to the information that Prince William would possibly need to do his investiture.

“He’s made a few mentions of wanting to come to the festival, so I’ll probably take a couple of tickets in my pocket,” he added.

Charlie Mackesy, the artist and writer behind the bestselling e book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse, was given a CBE.

Mary Earps’s honour follows her crowning as 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

BBC sports activities presenter Hazel Irvine and ex-Sky host Jeff Stelling had been awarded MBEs, and Howard Wilkinson, who was briefly England soccer supervisor, an OBE.