Strictly’s Amy Dowden says it’s a ‘dream’ to receive MBE in King’s Birthday Honours list
Congratulations to Strictly icon Amy! (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Congratulations are in order for Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden, as well as a whole list of high-profile figures being recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
It has been announced that the professional dancer is set to be made an MBE – a Member of the Order of the British Empire – after raising awareness for Crohn’s disease, the inflammatory bowel disease that she was diagnosed with at 19 years old.
The 33-year-old is joined on King Charles III’s Honours list by well-known individuals including Tracey Emin, Alan Bates, Gordon Brown, Anya Hindmarch, Mark Cavendish, Imelda Staunton, Susie Dent, Simon Le Bon and Rebecca Ferguson.
Last year, Amy announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and she has continued to update fans on her journey, including when she underwent chemotherapy.
In February this year, Amy announced that there was no evidence of the disease in her body anymore, and it was recently confirmed that she will be returning to the Strictly professional dancer line-up for the 2024 series on BBC One.
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Prior to her breast cancer diagnosis, Amy spoke openly about her experiences with Crohn’s disease, which is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.
The dancer is am ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis UK (Picture: Matt Alexander/PA Wire)
Rebecca Ferguson, who first rose to fame on The X Factor, is also receiving an MBE (Picture: Robin Little/Redferns)
She said that receiving an MBE for spreading awareness of the chronic condition was ‘beyond my wildest dreams’.
The Crohn’s and Colitis UK ambassador 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.’
Other stars receiving MBEs from King Charles III include singer Rebecca Ferguson, Countdown legend Susie Dent and Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon.
Meanwhile, there are several new dames and sirs in the mix, including the newly appointed The Crown actress Dame Imelda Staunton, fashion accessories designer Dame Anya Hindmarch and cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish.
Say hello to Dame Imelda Staunton! (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)
Alan Bates has accepted a knighthood after previously rejecting an OBE (Picture: Chris J Ratcliffe)
Post Office campaigner Alan Bates, whose story was depicted in the widely-acclaimed ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, will forever be known as a Sir.
Sir Alan, who previously rejected an OBE, 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.’
The former subpostmaster, who was played by Toby Jones in the TV series, continued: ‘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.’
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is receiving a very special recognition (Picture: Ian Forsyth)
Mark Cavenfish said that he felt ‘truly humbled’ to be knighted (Credits: Getty Images)
Sir Alan added that there are many people who are ‘still suffering’ in the aftermath of the Post Office scandal, stating about the prospect of going back to court: ‘If we need to raise the funding for doing such a thing, I’m sure the nation will support us.’
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been made a Companion of Honour, an extremely highly-regarded recognition, as more than 1,000 people are included on the Honours list.
The former Labour leader said that he felt ‘slightly embarrassed’ about the honour, which only 65 people receive at any one time.
He claimed that he would prefer for the ‘unsung, local heroes’ to be in the limelight.
Countdown’s Susie Dent had one of the best responses to her honour from the King (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)
The Thick Of It creator Armando Iannucci stressed how important it is that public service television is defended from ‘attacks on its independence and funding’ (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)
Lexicographer Susie had possibly one of the best responses to receiving her MBE, saying that she would celebrate her honour ‘on behalf of word lovers everywhere’, as well as adding: ‘I’ll do my very best to continue spreading the word, quite literally.’
Cycling sprint sar Mark said that he felt ‘truly humbled’ to be knighted, stating that it has ‘always been the biggest privilege to represent my country’.
The Thick Of It creator Armando Iannucci, who’s received CBE, described how ‘proud’ he felt to work in the British TV and film industry.
‘It’s the best in the world, yet weirdly I’ve been spending more and more of my energy defending our public service television from attacks on its independence and funding,’ he shared.
‘I’ll take this award as a cue to keep going.’
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