Alan Bates, Amy Dowden and Imelda Staunton among famous faces in King's Birthday Honours list 2024

Post Office campaigner Alan Bates, actress Imelda Staunton, Strictly Come Dancing stars and a number of people from the world of sport are among the famous faces recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list.

The highest award went to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who was made a Companion of Honour, while Sir Alan was knighted in recognition of his campaigning work which highlighted the Post Office Horizon scandal. Artist Tracey Emin, Imelda Staunton and fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch were all made dames in the list, while writer Armando Iannucci was made a CBE and cyclist Mark Cavendish was knighted.

Singer Rebecca Ferguson, Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon, Countdown's Susie Dent, Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden and EastEnders actress and Strictly contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis were among the showbiz names to be made MBEs. In the sporting world, former cyclist Chris Boardman and former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness were made CBEs, while former England footballer Karen Carney was made an OBE.

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Sir Alan, the founder of Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance who was played by Toby Jones in an ITV drama about the scandal, said he was "honoured" by his knighthood. The former subpostmaster, who previously rejected an OBE honour, told the PA news agency: "The time I was asked about the OBE... I felt it would have been quite offensive to many of the group if I'd accepted it.

"But I do know that I've had hundreds of emails and letters of support over the years and a lot of people do seem to think that I should receive some sort of recognition for the work that I've done for them or on their behalf. I know I'm the recipient of it and all the rest of it, but it's on behalf of the group as well - and recognition of the horrendous things that have happened to them and the story's not over yet." Sir Alan said many people were "still suffering" and the campaigners would go back to the courts if necessary, adding "if we need to raise the funding for doing such a thing, I'm sure the nation will support us".

Dame Tracey, who is known for her autobiographical and confessional artwork, said: "Dame Tracey has a good ring to it. I'm very, very happy. Another brilliant surprise in my life."

The Crown actress Dame Imelda said she was "thrilled" to be made a dame for her services to drama and charity. She said: "I feel genuinely humbled to be recognised on the same level as the amazing actresses, all the great dames, who have led the way for so many of us."

Professional dancer Amy Dowden, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 19, said being made an MBE for raising awareness of inflammatory bowel disease was "beyond my wildest dreams". Dowden, an ambassador for Crohn's and Colitis UK, said: "I accept it on behalf of all those who live with Crohn's disease, and will continue campaigning to raise awareness for and research into this terrible chronic illness."

The dancer has also had a high-profile battle with breast cancer and has undergone chemotherapy. She first found a lump in her breast the day before going to the Maldives on her honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones and was subsequently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She recently finished chemotherapy and tests show she has "no evidence of disease".

Meanwhile, Rose Ayling-Ellis, who first found fame on EastEnders and then on Strictly Come Dancing was also recognised in the honours list. The first deaf contestant to ever take part in the dancing show, who won the 2022 series alongside partner Giovanni Pernice, was made an MBE for voluntary services to the deaf community.