Fry's knighthood delight: actor among those receiving New Year Honours in the ITV Anglia region

Actor and author Stephen Fry, musician Myleene Klass and actor Kevin Whately are among those from the ITV Anglia region to be recognised in the New Year Honours.

Sir Stephen, 67, is among scores of people in the east of England to be recognised for their contribution to society.

He said he was "startled and enchanted" to hear about his knighthood in the King's latest list.

His award is for services to mental health awareness, the environment and to charity.

Sir Stephen, who was brought up in Norfolk and attended Cambridge University, has been president of the charity Mind since 2011 and since 2009 has been Vice-President of conservation charity Fauna and Flora International.

The actor and writer said he was “startled and enchanted” after receiving the letter informing him of the knighthood, adding: “It did come out of the blue.”

Since 1991, the Blackadder star and former QI host has also worked with the Terence Higgins Trust, raising awareness and funds for people with HIV and Aids.

In 2006 he fronted BBC programme Stephen Fry’s The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive and has been open about his struggles with mental illness – he has bipolar disorder – over the years.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that leads to extreme changes in mood and energy levels which are far beyond most people’s experiences of feeling happy or down.

He said it was “wonderful” to see the charities also being recognised, adding: “Because it goes all the way back to my own terrible, worst kind of experiences of what a mental health illness, mental illness can do to one, how it can completely ruin one’s life, one’s happiness, one’s sense of self.

• Stuart Leithes reports on some of the people honoured in the west of the ITV News Anglia region.

Sir Stephen went on to attend Cambridge where his contemporaries included Dame Emma Thompson, Tony Slattery and Hugh Laurie, with whom he formed a successful writing and performing partnership.

At Cambridge, Sir Stephen became involved with student sketch comedy troupe, the Cambridge Footlights, and he and House star Laurie went on to form the comic double act Fry and Laurie, with their work including A Bit of Fry & Laurie as well as taking the title roles in Jeeves And Wooster.

Musician and presenter Myleene Klass, from Gorleston, has said she is “absolutely over the moon” to be recognised in the New Year Honours.

Ms Klass, who is a Tommy’s ambassador, has been made an MBE, recognised for services to women’s health, miscarriage awareness and to charity.

The former Hear’Say singer, who is mother to daughters Ava and Hero and son Apollo, has suffered four miscarriages and spoken openly about the psychological effects of baby loss on women.

The 46-year-old said she was delighted to get the award.

"When I think back to how all of this started, it all came from a very dark place, and I certainly didn’t have it in mind to become a campaigner at the time.

“Anyone that’s suffered the pain of baby loss or miscarriage, you just go into survival mode and then to have recurring miscarriages again, the only way you can see forward is just, you know, one breath at a time, one day at a time.”

The Norfolk-born musician, who is also a Classic FM presenter, won the first Legends version of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2023, nearly 17 years after she finished runner-up on the original show.

Inspector Morse and Lewis actor Kevin Whately paid tribute to charity workers as he was made an OBE.

The Northumberland-born actor, 73, who now lives near Milton Keynes, rose to fame playing John Thaw’s right-hand man Lewis in detective drama Inspector Morse.

He has been recognised for services to drama and to charity.

He said: “I am grateful and delighted to be given this award, and I appreciate that actors can sometimes help to raise awareness and money for charities, but the full-time charity workers dedicate their lives to their causes, and every one of them deserves a medal”.

Also recognised in the awards is education campaigner and union leader Geoff Barton, who is made a CBE.

Mr Barton, from Bury St Edmunds, said his honour was a recognition of the challenges education leaders faced during the Coronavirus pandemic.

During the uncertain period, Mr Barton, who was the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) between 2017 and 2024, played a role in trying to reassure students, parents, and school staff.

School leaders had to quickly adapt to remote learning, safety protocols and ensuring that education continued despite closures, he said.

Mr Barton began his career as an English teacher at schools in Leeds, York and Suffolk, before becoming headteacher of King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds, a role he held for 15 years.

He has been a prominent voice in education, advocating for fair funding, improved teacher retention, and high standards in schools.

Scientists, charity workers, captains of industry, sports stars and authors are also recognised in the list, together with people who contribute to community life.

Ann Osborn, from Diss, is awarded a British Empire Medal for services to older people in the communities of Suffolk and Norfolk.

For the last 22 years, Ann has been involved with the Rural Coffee Caravan which now visits 300 of the most rural locations in the area each year, bringing together 5000 people who would otherwise face loneliness.

Alongside a small group of friends, Ann also started 500 Suffolk Reasons, a fundraising group for those in need in the local community.

Also recognised is Paralympian William Ellard, from Beccles in Suffolk, who won two golds and a silver in Paris, as well as breaking the world record in his category.

Nicola and Richard Bowdidge from Colchester receive a MBE for services to young people suffering from cancer.

Together, they co-founded The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation after their son, Tom, died from the disease at 19.

The foundation has raised over £1.6 million to fund research and provide services for young people. In 2023 alone, they provided over £18,000 in care and support grants directly to 52 young people and their families.

Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital and National Director for Digital Channels has also been honoured with a CBE for services to healthcare.

Mr Harrison has overseen the development of the NHS App and plays a central role in defining the digital future of the health service.

Below is a list of honours bestowed on people who live in the ITV Anglia region:

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)

Professor Sir Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz FRS FRCP FMedSci. Lately Chair, Cancer Research UK. For services to Cancer Research, to Clinical Research, to Medicine and to Charities. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

Professor Ijeoma Florence Uchegbu FMedSci. President, Wolfson College, Cambridge. For services to the Chemical Sciences and to Inclusion and Diversity. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Knights Batchelor

David Warren Arthur East CBE FRS FREng. Lately Chief Executive, Rolls Royce. For services to the Economy and to Net Zero. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Christopher Badger. Executive Director of Adult Care Services, Hertfordshire County Council. For services to Adult Social Care. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)<

Poppy Clare Veronica Baroness Gustafsson OBE. Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Darktrace. For services to the Cyber Security Industry. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Dr Roger Farrant Bland OBE. Curator, Numismatist and Chair, Treasure Valuation Committee. For services to Heritage. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Professor Gillian Clare Carr. Professor of Conflict Archaeology and Holocaust Heritage, and Fellow, St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge. For services to Holocaust Research and Education. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Professor Rachel Angharad Oliver FREng. Professor of Materials, University of Cambridge. For services to Materials Engineering. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Professor Shahina Pardhan. Founding Director, Vision and Eye Research Institute, Anglia Ruskin University. For services to Optometry and Preventing Blindness. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Dr James Biddulph. Lately Headteacher, University of Cambridge Primary School, Cambridge. For services to Education. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

George Edwin Ridley Kelly. President, St Ives Branch, The Royal British Legion. For voluntary services to the Royal British Legion and to Royal Air Force Veterans. (St Ives, Cambridgeshire)

Alastair John Kingsley. Chair of Trustees, Hampton Academies Trust, Cambridgeshire. For services to Education. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)

Daniel Schunmann JP DL. Founder, VIVA Theatre. For services to Community Theatre in Cambridgeshire. (Newmarket, Suffolk)

Beatrice Dorothy Wilson. Food Writer and Journalist. For services to Food Writing and Food Education. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)David Richard Chambers. For services to Music and to the community in Somersham, Cambridgeshire. (Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)

Malcolm John Fletcher. Lately Secretary, Ely Military Band. For services to the community in Ely, Cambridgeshire. (Ely, Cambridgeshire)

Benjamin Lee Thomas Hawkins. Emergency Dispatcher and Community First Responder, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. For services to Emergency Care, Staff Wellbeing and Mental Health. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)

Mark Long. Founding Team Member and Producer, Sawston Youth Drama. For services to Musical Theatre for Young People in Cambridgeshire. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Paul Michael Fellows. Chair, Cambridge Astronomical Association. For services to Astronomy. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Malcolm John Fletcher. Lately Secretary, Ely Military Band. For services to the community in Ely, Cambridgeshire. (Ely, Cambridgeshire)

ESSEX

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Mark Hardingham QFSM. Chair, National Fire Chiefs Council. For services to the Fire and Rescue Service. (Rayleigh, Essex)

Eleanor Sealy (Eleanor Kelly). Lately Chief Executive, Southwark Borough Council. For services to Local Government and to the community in London. (Loughton, Essex)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Dr Paul Gregory Fisher. Non-Executive Director and Chair, Audit and Risk Committee, UK Debt Management Office. For services to Public Finances. (Billericay, Essex)

Soumya Majumdar. Head of Unit, Proceeds of Crime Division, Crown Prosecution Service. For services to Law and Order. (Chelmsford, Essex)

Simon James Murphy. Lately Chief Executive Officer, Battersea Power Station Development Company. For services to Real Estate, Heritage and to the community in London. (Chelmsford, Essex)

Susan Margaret Tobbell. Philanthropist. For services to Charity. (Braintree, Essex)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Nicola Jane Bowdidge. Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation. For charitable services to Young People Suffering from Cancer. (Colchester, Essex)

Richard Charles Frank Bowdidge. Co-Founder and Chair, Board of Trustees, The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation. For charitable services to Young People Suffering from Cancer. (Colchester, Essex)

Professor Paul Martin Brickell. Lately Executive Director of Regeneration and Community Partnerships, London Legacy Development Corporation. For services to the Regeneration of East London. (Stansted, Essex)

Philip John Crummy. Lately Director and Principal Archaeologist, Colchester Archaeological Trust. For services to Archaeology and Heritage. (Colchester, Essex)

Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta. Consultant Rheumatologist, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. For services to People with Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. (Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex)

Joyce Hannah Giller (Joyce Lambert). For services to the community in Essex. (Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex)

Samantha Jane  Hamber. Head of Criminal Justice Services, St Mungo's. For services to Tackling Homelessness. (Basildon, Essex)

Gary Horne. Deputy Chief Executive, Colchester Institute, Essex. For services to Education. (Harwich, Essex)

June Frances O'Brien. For services to the community in Epping Forest, Essex. (Epping, Essex)

Gail O'Shea. Co-Founder, Wipe Away Those Tears. For charitable services to Terminally and Seriously Ill Children in Essex. (Brentwood, Essex)

Jason O'Shea. Co-Founder, Wipe Away Those Tears. For charitable services to Terminally and Seriously Ill Children in Essex. (Brentwood, Essex

Dr Marcus Eldon Roberts. Director, Policy and Strategy, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. For services to Public Safety and to the Victims of Addiction. (Colchester, Essex)

Benjamin Patrick Huw Simpson. Lately Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Sea-Kit International. For services to the Maritime Industry. (Colchester, Essex)

Bolaji Olubusola Sofoluwe. Co-Founder, Group MD Enterprise, Training and Knowledge Group. For services to Sustainable Business Growth, to Female Entrepreneurs and to International Trade. (Colchester, Essex)

Katherine Wood. Founding Director, Firstsite. For services to Art and to the community in Essex. (London, Greater London)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Kenneth David Cowen. Founder and lately Chief Executive Officer, School of Hard Knocks Charity. For services to Sport and to Charity. (Braintree, Essex)

Michael Francis Davies. Founder, Rayleigh Town Museum. For services to Heritage in Rayleigh, Essex. (Rayleigh, Essex)

Alan John Frost. For services to the community in Abberton, Colchester, Essex. (Colchester, Essex)

Paul Ray Hannaford. For services to the community in Romford, London Borough of Havering. (Brentwood, Essex)

Michael Keogh. Director, Springfield Youth Club, London Borough of Hackney. For services to Young People in London. (Brentwood, Essex)

Kelvin Langford. Head of security and car parking at The PrincessAlexandra Hospital NHS Trust. For volunteering to support veterans and for the Veteran Community of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, where he has lived for 20 years.

Louise Maria Lees-Barrett. Founder, REACH Equine Therapy. For services to Disabled People in Essex. (Brentwood, Essex)

Margaret Lines. For services to the community in Hatfield Heath, Essex. (Hatfield Heath, Essex)

Jacqueline Anita Pell. Councillor, Braintree District Council. For services to Local Government and to the community in Halstead, Essex. (Halstead, Essex)

John David Polley. For services to the Boxted Methodist Silver Band in Essex. (Colchester, Essex)

NORFOLK

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

The Right Honourable Patricia Hope Hewitt. Chair, NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board. For services to Healthcare Transformation. (Hunstanton, Norfolk)

Knights Batchelor

Stephen John Fry. President, Mind and Vice-President, Fauna & Flora International. For services to Mental Health Awareness, the Environment and to Charity.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

John Philip Bateman-Champain. Director, The Faith and Belief Forum. For services to Faith and Integration. (Norwich, Norfolk)

Martin John Brundle. Sports Broadcaster, from Norfolk. For services to Motor Racing and to Sports Broadcasting. (London, Greater London)

Ruth Florence Hollis. Chief Executive Officer, Spirit of 2012. For services to Sport, to the Arts and to Volunteering. (Norwich, Norfolk)

Professor Philip Douglas Jones. Professorial Fellow, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia. For services to Climatology. (Wymondham, Norfolk)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Rachel Denise Blackburn. Chief Executive Officer, US2U Consulting Ltd. For services to the Business Community and to Exports. (Norwich, Norfolk)

Richard Andrew Finney. Founder and Moustache Meister, Captain Fawcett. For services to International Trade and to Charity. (Kings Lynn, Norfolk)

Barbara Howell. Foster Carer, Norfolk County Council. For services to Foster Care. (Kings Lynn, Norfolk)

Andrew James Proctor. Lately Council Leader, Norfolk County Council.  For services to Local Government. (Emsworth, Hampshire)

Helen Ruth Wardale. Chair, Apollo Academies Trust, Norfolk. For services to Education. (North Walsham, Norfolk)

Sheila Joyce Warner. Vice Chair, Wells Lifeboat Guild, Norfolk. For voluntary services to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. (Fakenham, Norfolk)

Richard Andrew Finney. Founder and Moustache Meister, Captain Fawcett. For services to International Trade and to Charity. (Kings Lynn, Norfolk)

Barbara Howell. Foster Carer, Norfolk County Council. For services to Foster Care. (Kings Lynn, Norfolk)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Rona Benson. CCTV Operator, Norfolk Constabulary. For services to Policing and to Crime Prevention. (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk)

Sophie Elizabeth Ellis. Co-Organiser, The Norfolk Superheroes. For services to Charity in Norfolk. (King's Lynn, Norfolk)

William Charles Good. Secretary and Registrar, Wymondham Rugby Club. Forservices to Sport. (Attleborough, Norfolk)

Jessica Margaret Lapping. Co-Organiser, The Norfolk Superhero Challenge. For services to Charity in Norfolk. (Fakenham, Norfolk)

Ann Patricia Osborn. Chief Executive Officer, The Rural Coffee Caravan Information Project. For services to Older People and Combatting Loneliness in the communities of Suffolk and Norfolk. (Diss, Norfolk)

Garry Keith Marsden M.V.O. Visitor Enterprise Manager, Sandringham Estate. Norfolk

SUFFOLK

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Geoff Barton. Lately General Secretary, Association of School and College Leaders. For services to Education. (Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

James Nicholas Barnard Darkins. Lately Independent Non-Executive Board Member, The Crown Estate. For services to the Public Sector. (Southwold, Suffolk)

Ronald Hynd. Dancer and International Choreographer. For services to Dance. (Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Barbara Mary Boyd. Founder, Hadleigh Thrift Shop. For services to Charitable Fundraising and to the community in Hadleigh, Suffolk. (Hadleigh, Suffolk)

William Thomas Ellard. For services to Swimming. (Beccles, Suffolk)Daniel Schunmann JP DL. Founder, VIVA Theatre. For services to Community Theatre in Cambridgeshire. (Newmarket, Suffolk)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Christine May Boatwright. Founder and Clinical Director, Kernos Centre. For services to Mental Health in Suffolk. (Bures, Suffolk)

Muriel Joyce Bridges. For services to the St. Elizabeth Hospice, Framlingham, Suffolk. (Woodbridge, Suffolk)

John Allen Dunnett. For services to the community in Grundisburgh, Suffolk. (Woodbridge, Suffolk)

Kathleen Jane Hamilton. Lately Theatre Manager and Administrator. For services to Theatre. (Saxmundham, Suffolk)

Jill Marianne Terrell. For services to Libraries. (Stowmarket, Suffolk)

Lilian June Winter. For services to the St. Elizabeth Hospice, Framlingham, Suffolk. (Woodbridge, Suffolk)

HERTFORDSHIRE

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)James Edwin Palmer. Senior Corporate and Governance Lawyer, Herbert Smith, Freehills. For services to Business and to Law. (Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Sally Fenton. Lately Head, Built Environment Innovation Team, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. For services to Net Zero Innovation. (Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire)

David Edward Lloyd. Lately Police and Crime Commissioner, Hertfordshire. For services to Public Safety. (Tadcaster, North Yorkshire)

Professor Nathalie Pettorelli. Head of Environmental Monitoring and Conservation Modelling, Zoological Society of London. For services to Conservation and to Outreach. (Stevenage, Hertfordshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Dr Katherine Pamela Barclay. Board Member, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.  For services to Education and Skills. (Hitchin, Hertfordshire)

Fazilet Hadi. Head of Policy, Disability Rights UK. For services to Promoting the Interests of Disabled People. (Letchworth, Hertfordshire)

Ronald McMurdie. Lately Special Chief Inspector, Hertfordshire Constabulary. For services to Policing. (Biggleswade, Bedfordshire)

Renee Friend. Ambassador, Isabel Hospice. For services to Charity and to the community in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. (Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire)

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)Martin Paul Leslie Pratt. Lately Executive Director, Supporting People, Camden Council, and Chair of Trustees, Young Camden Foundation, London. For services to Children, to Young People and to Families in London. (Northampton, Northamptonshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Sandra Dickens (Sandra Currie). Chief Executive, Kidney Research UK. For services to Sufferers of Kidney Disease. (Northampton, Northamptonshire)

John Geoffrey Smith. Chief Executive Officer, GB Railfreight. For services to Rail Freight Transport. (Northampton, Northamptonshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Duncan Charles Farrington. Farmer and Founder, Farrington Oils. For services to Agriculture and to the Food and Drink Industry. (Wellingborough, Northamptonshire)

Paul Newman. Chief Executive, Greensleeves Care. For services to Health and Social Care. (Banbury, Northamptonshire)

The Reverend Dr John Simon Smith. Founder and Patron, Cransley Hospice. For services to Palliative Care both in Hospice and in the community in North Northamptonshire. (Kettering, Northamptonshire)

MILTON KEYNES

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)Joseph Richard Harrison. Chief Executive, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHSFoundation Trust. For services to Healthcare. (Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Heidi Rebecca Elizabeth Travis. Lately Chief Executive, Sue Ryder. For servicesto Palliative, Neurological and Bereavement Care Services. (Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Adrian Christy. Chief Executive Officer, Table Tennis England. For services to Table Tennis. (Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire)

BEDFORDSHIRE

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Professor Linda Mary Field - for services to Protecting Crops and to the Environment - Luton

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Vanessa Harvard-Williams - for services to legal services, to financial services, to public finance and totackling climate change - Central Bedfordshire

Kevin Whately - for services to drama and to charity - Central Bedfordshire

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Mark Lay - for services to preventing drug related deaths - Central BedfordshireRonald George McMurdie - for services to policing - Central BedfordshireChristopher Murphy - for services to business and to charity - Bedford

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)Malcolm Chalmers - for services to the community in Wootton - BedfordRobin Gell - for services to sport and to the community in Bedfordshire - BedfordEnoch Kanagaraj - for services to charity and to the community in Hertfordshire - Central BedfordshireJohn Kingham - for services to the community in Luton - LutonJaswinder Kumar - for services to charitable works across Bedford - BedfordSally Martiello - for services to early years and to communities - Bedford

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know