Kate Garraway has been given an MBE while Mel B was given an honour for her work with domestic violence charity in the 2022 New Year’s Honours list.
TV presenter Kate, 54, was awarded the honour for her services to broadcasting after documenting her husband Derek Draper’s battle with Covid-19.
Elsewhere, Melanie Brown, 46, of the Spice Girls, better known as Mel B, has been made an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women’s Aid.
The stars were among hundreds recognised in the New Year Honours today, including Joanna Lumley, EastEnders star June Brown and TV presenter Katie Piper.
Covid: TV presenter Kate Garraway, 54, received her honour for services to broadcasting after documenting husband Derek Draper’s battle with Covid-19
She has bravely opened up about her own experience of abuse and has relentlessly campaigned for change, even taking her crusade to Downing Street back in 2019.
The pop star even fronted a Women’s Aid campaign – a music video called Love Should Not Hurt – in which she portrayed a character who was a badly beaten victim of violence.
Speaking of her honour, Mel B said her mother asked her if she had ‘done something wrong’ when the letter arrived in the post, saying she felt ‘so emotional’ once she opened the letter.
Reflecting on that moment, she told The Sun: ‘I thought about all the women I’ve met over the past few years who have been through terrible situations, women who have died, women who are still suffering.
‘This, for me, was all about them. It still is.’
Two years ago, the Yorkshire-born pop star released her memoir Brutally Honest, which led her to work with Women’s Aid after she detailed her marriage with Stephen Belafonte.
Mel split from Stephen, 46, in 2017 and claimed he had emotionally and physically abused her during their 10-year marriage – something which he has always vehemently denied.
She claimed that her marriage ‘nearly killed her’ and said she felt compelled to speak out about it in her autobiography Brutally Honest.
Honours: Melanie Brown, 46, of the Spice Girls, better known as Mel B, has been made an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women’s Aid
In previous interviews, the mother-of-three also claimed she was financially abused during her marriage, having no access to her own money.
Mel shares daughter Madison, 10, with Stephen. She began divorce proceedings in 2018 before eventually reaching a settlement which involved abuse charges being dropped.
Mel is also mother to daughters Phoenix, 22, from her previous relationship with ex Jimmy Gulzar, and Angel, 14, who she shares with ex Eddie Murphy.
Elsewhere in the New Year’s Honours List, film director John Boorman, whose movies include Point Blank, has also been knighted.
Ex: Mel split from Stephen Belafonte, 46, in 2017 and claimed he emotionally and physically abused her during their marriage – something which he has always vehemently denied
Joanna Lumley, who stars in Absolutely Fabulous, and Call the Midwife star Vanessa Redgrave have both been made dames in the star-studded honours list.
Joanna has been honoured for her services to drama, entertainment and charity while Vanessa was recognised for her services to drama.
The model said her damehood was ‘completely unexpected’ and ‘extraordinary’ after the 2022 list was revealed on New Year’s Eve.
She said: ‘I thought, how has this happened? Is it a mistake? I truly was completely thrown by it, and thrilled to bits, and so touched.’
Bond actor Daniel Craig was given a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George – the same honour as 007, while Diversity’s Ashley Banjo was awarded an MBE for services to dance
Bond actor Daniel Craig is made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, which is normally reserved for spies and senior diplomats.
It is also the same honour that 007 was ‘decorated’ with in the film series and Ian Fleming’s books.
Daniel’s honour comes after he played Bond for the last time in No Time to Die, a character he has played since 2006.
Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have also become CBEs for services to film, drama, philanthropy and skills.
Alistair Spalding, who has been the Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells theatre since 2004, has also received the honour for his work in dance.
Meanwhile, Diversity’s Ashley Banjo, 33, was also awarded an MBE for services to dance.
Diver Tom Daley, who won gold in the 10m synchro, will be made an OBE, while his partner, Matty Lee, will be made an MBE.
‘I’m so touched’: Joanna Lumley, who stars in Absolutely Fabulous, and Call the Midwife star Vanessa Redgrave have both been made dames in the star-studded honours list
And teenage tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has added another title after winning the US Open in September, as she can now say she is a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Adam Hills, who hosts Channel 4’s The Last Leg, has been given an MBE for his services to Paralympic sport and disability awareness.
Speaking of the honour, he said: ‘I am absolutely chuffed to bits to be given this honour. I’ve already Googled ‘Australian comedians who have received honours’, ‘when can I start writing MBE after my name?’ and ‘are Australians even eligible for an MBE?’
‘Turns out the answers are ‘Barry Humphries and Clive James, ‘when you receive the medal’ and ‘yes’.
‘Honestly though, for a boy from the southern suburbs of Sydney, this is quite a massive deal.’
Inspirational: Kate Piper has been awarded an OBE for her services to charity and victims of disfigurement injuries
The Australian comedian, 51, hosts the popular chat show alongside Alex Brooker and Josh Widdecombe.
Kate Piper has been awarded an OBE for her services to charity and victims of disfigurement injuries. The TV presenter, 38, survived an acid attack in 2008, which left her blind in one eye.
OBEs were also given to former EastEnders stars June Brown, 94, who played Dot Cotton, and Nitin Ganatra, 54, who played Masood Ahmed.
Pauline Black, 68, the lead singer of two-tone band The Selecter, has been awarded an OBE for services to entertainment.
Other celebrities who have made the list include newsreader Moira Stuart, cyclists Jason and Laura Kenny, financial guru Martin Lewis and author Anthony Horowitz.
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