<\/p>\n
Idris Elba<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Cynthia Erivo<\/span><\/a> are among a handful of entertainers to get recognised in the New Year Honours list.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Idris will become Sir Idris after being awarded a knighthood for services to young people, recognising his charity work with the Elba Hope Foundation as well as his campaigning against knife crime.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence,\u201d the Luther actor <\/span>said<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Meanwhile Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 star <\/span>Meera Syal<\/span><\/a> is now Dame Meera after being recognised for services to literature, drama and charity. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Wicked actor and singer Cynthia Erivo was given an MBE for services to music and drama while <\/span>Ellie Goulding<\/span><\/a> was honoured for her work as an environmental ambassador.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Cynthia admitted she never thought she would receive an MBE, <\/span>saying<\/span><\/a>: \u201cI hope it shows that I care deeply about the work and will continue to do so to the best of my abilities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n With Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards already under her belt, she just needs to clinch an Oscar to join the esteemed \u2018EGOT\u2019 club of stars who have been decorated in all four awards.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Elsewhere comedians <\/span>Bill Bailey<\/span><\/a>, Paul Chuckle and <\/span>Coronation Street<\/span><\/a> star Sally Lindsay were also made MBEs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Actor <\/span>Warwick Davis<\/span><\/a>, comedian <\/span>Matt Lucas<\/span><\/a>, author and TV host <\/span>Richard Osman<\/span><\/a>, and sports broadcasters <\/span>Gabby Logan<\/span><\/a> and Clive Tyldesley have been appointed OBEs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThis is the best thing that\u2019s ever happened to me \u2013 and I\u2019ve been in Star Wars,\u201d Warwick <\/span>said<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Figure skating legends <\/span>Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean<\/span><\/a> have been given a damehood and knighthood respectively, while Last of the Summer Wine and Open All Hours writer Roy Clarke also becomes a knight.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Other entertainment honourees include <\/span>MasterChef<\/span><\/a> judge Marcus Wareing and Location, Location, Location star Phil Spencer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n