Rod Stewart, Dame Vera Lynn, Tim Peake and Ant and Dec top Queen's Birthday Honours list

Rod Stewart, Dame Vera Lynn, Ant and Dec and Tim Peake are among the famous names in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Stewart, 71, received a knighthood for his services to music and charity and promised to "wear it well."

He said: "I've led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public.

"This monumental honour has topped it off and I couldn't ask for anything more. I thank Her Majesty and promise to 'wear it well'."

Major Peake, who was given a CMG - Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George - for space research and scientific research, is the first person to be honoured while in space.

He said: "I am honoured to receive the first appointment to the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George for extraordinary service beyond our planet."

Tim Peake answers questions from ITV News viewers:

He added that the award was not just for him, and dedicated it to everyone who had made his mission possible.

Dame Vera, 99, has been made Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to entertainment and charity.

"I was very surprised to hear that I was going to be appointed a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the Birthday Honours list," she said.

"I felt very greatly honoured to be given a Damehood and never expected to receive anything else.

Dame Vera Lynn in 1956 Credit: PA

Other actors in the 1,149-strong list include Brian Blessed and Penelope Wilton, while sporting stars recognised for their achievements include record-breaking England cricket captain Alastair Cook and former England football skipper Alan Shearer.

Orders of the British Empire:

  • CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire

  • MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire

  • OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire

  • KBE - Knight Commander or DBE - Dame Commander

ITV presenters Ant and Dec received OBEs for services to broadcasting and entertainment.

Ant and Dec have been awarded OBEs Credit: ITV

They paid tribute to "our mams" and said they hope to be an inspiration to young people.

Brian Blessed described his OBE for services to the arts and charity as "a complete surprise."

Brian Blessed is 'delighted' to be made an OBE Credit: PA

"I am absolutely delighted," he said. "It is marvellous that the son of a Yorkshire coal miner should be given such an honour."

Olivier award winning actress Wilton was made a Dame for her services to drama, one of 13 women to be bestowed the honour.

Nineteen men were awarded knighthoods.

Janet Street-Porter received a CBE for services to journalism and broadcasting and said she wanted to stop older people from feeling "invisible."

She commented: "I accepted this honour on behalf of older people whose experiences and expertise can contribute so much and who often feel invisible, overlooked in the workplace and portrayed as 'problems' in the media.

"Ageing is a positive process, and I want to celebrate that. I've enjoyed working across the media for nearly 50 years and still feel an outsider- which is a source of great strength."