Andy Murray and Mo Farah among those knighted in New Year's Honours list


Emmy Griffiths
TV & Film Editor
December 31, 2016

Andy Murray has become Britain's youngest knight of modern times after receiving a knighthood at the age of 29-years-old.

The tennis champion, who is already an OBE, has had an incredible year after achieving the spot as the world's number one tennis champion, not to mention winning Wimbledon for the second time along with winning an Olympic gold medal at the Games in Rio and being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year. After finding out about the news, he called the knighthood "a great honour that he was never going to turn down."

© Photo: Getty Images

Andy has been awarded a knighthood

Speaking about the possibility of receiving the honour last month, Andy said: "I don't know, I feel too young for something like that. I am still young and there are still a lot of things that can go wrong, I could still mess up and make mistakes." Fellow sportsman Mo Farah has also received a knighthood in the New Year's honours list, and told the BBC: "Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking a world of English, I could never have imagined where I would be today - it's a dream come true. I'm so proud to have had the opportunity to race for my country and win gold medals for the British people, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my career. My successes have only been possible because of their support."

© Photo: Getty Images

Mo spoke about being awarded the knighthood

Meanwhile athletic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill has been made a dame, and tweeted about the exciting news, writing: "What a team to have been apart of. Dame...truly truly honoured!" Five-time medallist Katherine Grainger has also been awarded the honour while Lee Pearsons has been offered a knighthood for services to equestrianism. Meanwhile Oscar and BAFTA-award winning actor Mark Rylance has also been awarded a knighthood in recognition of his talent in performing arts.

Check out the list of sports stars and celebs awarded honours: 

A knighthood for musician Ray Davies of The Kinks

A knighthood for Ken Dodd, for services to entertainment and to charity

CBEs for Jason Kenny and Laura Kenny (nee Trott), for services to cycling

CBE for artist Chris Ofili

CBE for cartoonist Peter Brookes

OBE for fashion designer Victoria Beckham

OBE for actor Tim Pigott Smith

OBE for actress Helen McCrory

OBE for Kate Richardson-Walsh and an MBE for Helen Richardson-Walsh, following Great Britain’s first women's Olympic hockey gold medal

MBE for BBC Young Sports Personality Ellie Robinson after winning gold in swimming at the Paralympics aged 15

MBE for Max Whitlock for services to gymnastics

MBE for actor Clive Rowe

MBE for singer Marty Wilde

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