New Year Honours 2017: Ringo Starr, Barry Gibb, Nick Clegg and Darcey Bussell recognised by the Queen

Ringo Starr, Bee Gees icon Barry Gibb, and dancer Darcey Bussell are among the famous Brits leading this year’s New Year Honours list.

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, ex-Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, grime star Wiley and authors Michael Morpurgo and Jilly Cooper also made the star-studded list of names, which was officially released on Friday night.

A string of political figures including former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, 50, and key Tory backbencher Graham Brady, 50, were also recognised with knighthoods.

Those honoured with gongs also included elections expert Professor John Curtice following his spot-on General Election exit poll in June and veteran comedian Hugh Laurie.

Newly-knighted legendary songwriter Barry Gibb paid tribute to his two late brothers with whom he formed the Bee Gees trio, Robin and Maurice, who had both received CBEs in 2002.

Sir Barry, 71, who was awarded the accolade for services to music and charity, said: “I am deeply honoured, humbled, and very proud. This is a moment in life to be treasured and never forgotten.

"I want to acknowledge how responsible my brothers are for this honour. It is as much theirs as it is mine. The magic, the glow, and the rush will last me the rest of my life."

Sir Barry added “the magic, the glow and the rush” of being made a Sir will “last him for the rest of his life”.

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, whose real name is Richard Starkey and so will be known as Sir Richard, was also recognised for services to music with a knighthood more than half a century after receiving an MBE with his former bandmates.

The 77-year-old said: “It's great! It's an honour and a pleasure to be considered and acknowledged for my music and my charity work, both of which I love. Peace and love. Ringo."

Sir Paul McCartney, who was given a knighthood 20 years ago, said it was “about time” that his longtime friend received the accolade, adding he would have told the Queen: “Look, love, Sir Richard Starkey - it's got a ring".

Retired ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, 48, said she was “truly humbled” to be made a Dame, adding: “I gratefully accept it on behalf of all the dance organisations that I am so fortunate to be part of. Dance is such a beautiful art form, it is inspiring and provides joy, social cohesion and wellbeing."

Dame Darcey, 48, is being honoured for her services to dance, following a career that has spanned more than 20 years and more than 10 years after she was given a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Alexandra Shulman, 60, received a CBE for services to fashion journalism after more than 25 years as editor of British Vogue, making her the UK magazine’s longest-serving and most successful editor ever.

Musician Wiley, often dubbed the ‘godfather of grime’, was awarded an MBE for services to music.

“It feels like the school grade I wanted and didn't get but now I'm finally there,” the artist, whose real name is Richard Cowie, said.

"I would like to thank my mother and father plus all family members and friends for being there for me when I needed them".

Another key figure from the grime world, Grace Ladoja, was also awarded on OBE for her services to music.

Eamonn Holmes, 58, who is receiving an OBE for services to broadcasting, said his wife and This Morning co-star Ruth Langsford was even more delighted than him.

The television stalwart and journalist from Belfast, best known for GMTV and Sky News' Sunrise, said he had been keeping the secret for three weeks, adding: "Ruth was even more thrilled than I was. I think she just thought it was very well deserved."

Elections expert Professor John Curtice said he was "surprised and humbled" to be given a knighthood, whose exit poll after June’s snap election stunned many when it suggested Theresa May was set to lose her Commons majority.

The professor of politics from Strathclyde University in Glasgow has become a familiar figure to many, thanks to regular television appearances explaining election results and why Britons voted the way they did.

The 64-year-old said: "Just six months ago the exit poll I led surprised everyone with a shock prediction that went on to be uncannily accurate. Now it is my turn to be surprised - and humbled - by the gracious decision to grant me a knighthood.

"It is not something I ever expected to happen. But it appears that my attempts to analyse public opinion and outline its implications for the country's political life and public policy are appreciated."

Children’s author Michael Morpurgo, 74, said he will "give" his knighthood to the equine character Joey from his acclaimed story War Horse, adding: "I think in a way the only reason this wonderful honour has been given, it is for charity, but it is because, probably if I'm honest with myself, it is about one book.

"And it's about one story and one play, the great good fortune of my writing life in terms of, I suppose, circumstance and bringing the kind of success you can't dream of in terms of rewards and awards - it's the play of War Horse".

Conservative MPs Graham Brady, 50, chairman of the party's 1922 Committee, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, 64, and Christopher Chope, 70, receive knighthoods for political and public service while Cheryl Gillan, 65, vice chairman of the committee, is made a dame.

On the Labour side, Preston MP Mark Hendrick, 59, and Commons Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, 60, are knighted.

David Leakey, the outgoing holder of the Black Rod parliamentary post, has been made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) by the Queen.

Also among the 1,123 people honoured is 80s star and self-described "maverick" Marc Almond, who receives an OBE for services to arts and culture.

The 60-year-old, who had hits including Tainted Love as one half of electric duo Soft Cell, said he was "totally excited" to be recognised, adding: "I can't really be a rebel any more. I think it's time to leave it to younger people."

West End star Matt Henry who began his career selling ice cream and programmes in a London theatre has also been awarded an MBE following his Olivier award for best actor in musical Kinky Boots.

Met Police deputy commissioner Craig Thomas MacKey, was also given a Queen’s Police Medal for services to policing.

The oldest people to be honoured are 101-year-olds Lieutenant Colonel Mordaunt Cohen, who receives an MBE for services to Second World War education, and Helena Jones, who is given a British Empire Medal for services to young people and the community in Brecon, Powys.

Future honours lists will focus on those involved in the responses to the series of UK terror attacks in 2017 and the Grenfell Tower fire which left 71 people dead.