Britain’s Covid heroes are recognised in the New Year Honours today, with top gongs for Government scientific advisers Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance – and an MBE for Kate Garraway.
These scientists were just a few of the hundreds that were given ‘Covid related service’ awards, accounting for almost 5% of all recognized.
After documenting the battle of Derek Draper, Miss Garraway (54) was awarded her honor for broadcasting services.

Britain’s Covid heros are recognized in today’s New Year Honours, which include top gongs to Government scientist advisers Chris Whitty or Patrick Vallance.

After documenting the battle of Derek Draper, Kate Garraway (54), was awarded her MBE for broadcasting services.


Sir Patrick, 61 is the chief scientific advisor and will be promoted to knight commander of the Order of the Bath. Sir Patrick, the chief scientific adviser, will be promoted to knight commander of the Order of the Bath. Professor Whitty, the 55-year-old chief medical officer, has also been made a knight commandant of the Order of the Bath.
Sajid Javid Health Secretary said that it was an honor to work alongside such dedicated professionals, who provided expert advice throughout the pandemic.
“This year’s Honours List recognizes all those who helped to deliver the world’s best vaccine and testing programmes.
Sir Patrick, the chief scientific advisor, will be promoted to knight commander of the Order of the Bath.

Professor Whitty’s deputy is Professor Jonathan Van-Tam. He, at 57, has been made a knight bachelor


The UK Health Security Agency’s chief executive, Dr Jenny Harries (left), will now be known as a dame of services to the health. The Damehoods go also to Dr Emily Lawson, the NHS England chief executive for vaccine deployment and Dr June Raine, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s chief executive.

For their services in public health, Dr Gregor Smith, the chief Scottish medical officer (pictured), and Dr Frank Atherton, his Welsh counterpart were knighted.
He was already a knight bachelor – the standard level of knighthood – after being honoured in 2019. Last night, he said he was pleased to have so many exceptional scientists and engineers recognized.
Fellow medical officer, Professor Whitty (55), is made knight commander of the Order of the Bath.
He is succeeded by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam (57), who becomes a knight bachelor.
Chief executive at the UK Health Security Agency Dr Jenny Harries (63), will be a dame in services to healthcare. Dr Emily Lawson, the chief executive of NHS England’s vaccine deployment team and Dr June Raine (chief executive at Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), will also be Dames.
For their services to the public health, Dr Frank Atherton and Dr Gregor Smith (Scotland’s chief medical officer) were knighted.
Pandemic was the most prominent topic on the list. 207 individuals were honored for their services during Covid-19, and 17 for their’services in the Covid-19 Response’.
International and overseas lists were presented with awards to vaccine developers from around the globe for their contribution in making Britain one of the best jab rollouts anywhere on Earth.
Rod MacKenzie (American Pfizer Chief Development Officer) and Sean Marett (German BioNTech Chief Business and Commercial Officer), were both elected Companions of St Michael and St George in recognition of their contributions to vaccine distribution and development.
Moderna Chief Development Officer Melanie Ivarsson receives an OBE. She is American as well.
British OBE awarded to Mohammed Aziz (Boots Director of Healthcare Services) for his work in providing Covid testing.
Supply chain management was a major responsibility of the chief supermarket officers.
Roger Burnley, former Asda chief executive, is now 56. Steven Murrells was the Co-Op chief Executive, at 56. Angela Johnson, Morrisons supply chains manager, has been awarded an MBE.
Sir Paul Nurse is 72-years old and a Nobel Prize-winning Geneticist.
The pandemic was over, but former Labour MP Frank Field, now 79, was a part of Sir Paul’s appointment to the Order of the Companions of Honour. Lord Field, a former politician, stated that it was a tremendous privilege.
Robert Buckland, a Tory ex-minister, and Caroline Dinenage will also be in line for honors.
Former justice secretary, Mr Buckland was made a knight in the Boris Johnson’s September reshuffle to make room for Dominic Raab.
Miss Dinenage was elected Gosport MP and removed as Minister of State for Digital and Culture. She is now a dame.
Sources within the government claimed that these honours were given to ministers for service and not as a consolation prize for being fired.


Supply chain management was a major focus for many supermarket heads. Roger Burnley, former Asda chief executive, is now 56. Steven Murrells, Co-Op chief Executive, is 56. Angela Johnson was Morrisons supply chains manager gets an MBE.

Far from the pandemics, Frank Field, an ex-Labour MP, was 79 when Sir Paul was elected to the Order of the Companions of Honour. Lord Field, a Birkenhead politician, stated: “It is a tremendous privilege.”


Robert Buckland, a Tory ex-minister (left), and Caroline Dinenage are both in line to receive honours. Former justice secretary, Mr Buckland was dismissed in the Boris Johnson reshuffle of September in favor for Dominic Raab. He is now a knight. Miss Dinenage of Gosport was removed from her post as Minister of State for Digital and Culture. She is now a dame

Considered one of the best actresses her generation, Vanessa is Dame Vanessa for her contribution to drama.
Vanessa Redgrave is 84 and decides that there’s no better damehood than Vanessa Redgrave
Daily Mail, by ELEANOR SHARPLES
She has been a socialist all her life and refused to be dame in 1999, as she opposed any honor linked to the British Empire.
Vanessa Redgrave seems to have overcame her doubts and accepted the award today in the New Year Honours List.
She is widely considered to be one of the best actresses her age and has earned the title of Dame Vanessa for her contribution to drama.
Joanna Lumley from Absolutely Fabulous, who was also made a dame today, is another actor to be honored.
Vanessa was nominated for an Oscar in 1977’s Julia film. She was also awarded a CBE in 1967.
When she was asked about the reports she denied a damehood she replied in 2002 that her difficulty in getting anything that mentioned British Empire is that I’m a Unicef Special Representative at the Service of Children from all Countries. If the British Empire was not mentioned, I would still be honored.
At the Venice Film Festival 2018, actress Jennifer Lawrence claimed she declined the title of dame in protest against Tony Blair and the Iraq War.
However, the Iraq War didn’t begin until 2003. At the time, Dame Vanessa stated that she wouldn’t say “never” to the Queen that she had refused her an honor. She added, “But I couldn’t and wouldn’t accept any honours from Mr Blair when he took our country and so many others to war on the foundation of a lie.”
In 1995, Dame Joanna (75) was made an OBE for her service to theatre, entertainment, and charities. “I’m astonished, thrilled and touched beyond all words ,” she said.
The New Avengers star is also known as Patsy Stone, the drunk Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous. She has also been a prominent advocate for Gurkhas settling in the UK.
Meanwhile, actor Daniel Craig, 53, whose final film as 007, No Time to Die, was released this autumn, was given the rare honour of being made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) – the same award given to Bond in Ian Fleming’s novels. CMGs are usually given to people who have rendered extraordinary service abroad.


Joanna Lumley, a former star of Absolutely Fabulous (left), was also honored today. She has been named a dame. Melanie Brown, 46, from the Spice Girls (better known as Mel B), has been awarded an MBE in recognition of her efforts with Women’s Aid, a domestic violence charity.

Actor Daniel Craig, 53, whose final film as 007, No Time to Die, was released this autumn, was given the rare honour of being made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) – the same award given to Bond in Ian Fleming’s novels. CMGs are usually given to individuals who perform extraordinary overseas service.
Barbara Broccoli was the movie’s producer at 61. She was presented with a CBE by Michael Wilson (79) for her services to film.
The CBEs were awarded to Paul Greengrass (66), film director and creator of the Jason Bourne films, as well as Anthony Horowitz (66), author who wrote three Bond novels. Newsreader Moira Stewart, also a CBE recipient, is another star to be recognized.
Bernie Taupin, Sir Elton John’s Lyricist, received a CBE from the overseas and international lists as well for his contributions to music.
William Roache (89), who starred in Coronation Street’s first episode in December 1960 as Ken Barlow, was awarded the OBE in recognition of his contributions to charity and drama.
Cherylee Houston (77) was the wheelchair-user Izzy Armstrong on the soap. She has received an MBE in recognition of her contributions to drama and people with disabilities.


William Roache, 89, Coronation Street’s lyricist, was honored with an OBE in recognition of his contributions to charity and drama. Bernie Taupin, 71-year-old Sir Elton John’s music lyricist was awarded an OBE on the international and overseas lists for his contributions to music.
June Brown (94), who was a former EastEnders star and Nitin Ganatra (54) who played Masood Ahmad, both received OBEs.
Melanie Brown (46), better known by her stage name Mel B and the Spice Girls has received an MBE in recognition of her efforts with Women’s Aid, a domestic violence charity.
John Boorman (88), a film director whose films include Point Blank from 1967, was knighted. Alistair Spalding (64) is the boss of Sadler’s Wells Theatre and has been awarded a MBE for his dance work. Ashley Banjo (33), of Britain’s Got Talent winning dance group Diversity was awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to dancing.
Katie Piper is a TV presenter who was severely burned in an acid attack. In 2008, she survived and founded The Katie Piper Foundation. Piper received an OBE as a result of her charitable work and for helping victims with disfigurement injuries.
Adam Hills, 51-year-old comedian from Australia, hosts Channel 4’s “The Last Leg”. He has been awarded an MBE to acknowledge his contributions to Paralympic sport as well as disability awareness.
Pauline Black (68), the lead singer in two-tone group The Selecter has been awarded an OBE for entertainment services.
Laura and Jason are another first for a golden couple
Daily Mail by ANDY JOHRING
Olympic champions Laura and Jason Kenny are the first husband and wife ever to be made knight and dame in the same honours list – while an MBE completes a fairytale year for Emma Raducanu.
After receiving the award for services to cycling, the Kennys have an additional accolade.
Kenny (33) was level with Sir Bradley Wiggins (record of 8 medals) when he won a second in the Tokyo team sprint. While he now holds six gold, two silver, and five gold medals for his wife, 29-year-old Kenny has one silver and one gold.

Olympic gold medalists Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny were the first spouse and husband to ever be knighted in the same honors list.

Now, after being awarded the services for cycling awards, Kennys can add another award to their Olympic title.
Albie is four years old and the couple said that they are ‘humbled’ and ‘proud’ to have him as their child and they thanked the whole team.
Miss Raducanu is a 19-year old tennis star. She has been awarded an MBE as part of her BBC Sports Personality of the year and US Open victory in New York. She said, “It makes my heart so proud and feels very grateful.” She said, “This past year has brought me many amazing experiences so this is a very special way to finish 2021.”
Tom Daley (27), a diver, receives an OBE to support LGBTQ+ rights. Adam Peaty (27) also gets an OBE.
Lauren Steadman (paralympian), a 29-year-old Strictly star is given an MBE, while Hannah Cockcroft (29 year old paralympic champion sprinter) is granted an OBE. These athletes are just a few of the 78 who were honored for their efforts at Tokyo 2020.

Emma Raducanu (19), a tennis sensation, has capped off an extraordinary year by receiving an MBE. This is in addition to being named BBC Sports Personality of the Years and winning the US Open in New York.

Lauren Steadman (paralympian), a 29-year-old Strictly star is given an MBE

Diver Tom Daley (27), receives an OBE in recognition of his services for LGBTQ+ rights