THE Kinks frontman Ray Davies, Olympic golden medal winner Mo Farah and veteran comedian Ken Dodd were among a handful of Britons set to be knighted in the New Year Honours list.
The 72-year-old singer and songwriter, who helped write classics such as You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, and Sunny Afternoon, said he felt a mixture of “joy” and “humility” on discovering he had been made a knight.
Davies, born in north London, said: “Initially I felt a mixture of surprise, humility, joy and a bit of embarrassment, but after thinking about it, I accept this for my family and fans as well as everyone who has inspired me to write.”
Originally known as The Ravens, The Kinks were formed at the end of 1963 with his brother Dave, Peter Quaife and then Mick Avory.
Mr Davies was once shot by a mugger he chased after his girlfriend’s bag was snatched.
The Kinks – inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 – were one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. The group’s influence on acts like Oasis and Blur earned Davies the accolade Godfather of Britpop.
Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah has described his knighthood as a “dream come true” for a boy who arrived in the UK unable to speak English.
The distance runner, 33, who successfully defended his 5,000 and 10,000-metre titles at the Rio Games, is recognised for services to athletics.
He is joined at the top of an honours list heavy with Team GB heroes alongside heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill who was made a dame.
Farah said: “I’m so happy to be awarded this incredible honour from the country that has been my home since I moved here at the age of eight.
“Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today. It’s a dream come true.”
Others who will claim the title Sir in the New Year include comic Ken Dodd, 89, recognised for services to the arts, and entertainment and charity, respectively.
Turning to his trademark turn of phrase, Dodd said of the honour: “I’m very proud, I’m very, very happy and full of plumptiousness. I feel highly tickled.”
Former pensions minister Steve Webb has said it was “humbling and unexpected” to receive a knighthood.
The former Liberal Democrat MP served the constituency of Thornbury and Yate, formerly Northavon, in the South West of England for nearly two decades.
As pensions minister for the duration of the coalition government between 2010 and 2015, he was at the helm during a series of landmark reforms to help current and future generations of retirement savers.
Now director of policy at Royal London, he said: “It is humbling and unexpected to receive an honour of this sort.
“Without the partnership of the many people I have worked with over the years on a range of pensions issues and campaigns it would not have been possible to deliver the reforms that I have been involved with. Each one of them deserves to share in this honour.”
Also among the 1,197 people honoured is American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, 67, who becomes a dame in the diplomatic and overseas list for services to fashion and journalism.
Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, 42, has been recognised with an OBE after establishing herself as a powerful force in the fashion industry.
Keeping Up Appearances actress Patricia Routledge, 87, is made a dame for services to the theatre and charity, while Sir Roger Bannister is made a Companion of Honour for services to sport.
The 87-year-old became the first man to break the four-minute mile when, aged 25, he clocked three minutes 59.4 seconds in Oxford on May 6 1954.
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