New Year Honours 2026: Devoted Sheffield headteacher and legendary Paul Chuckle feature in King's Honours
The King’s New Year’s Honours List 2026 has been unveiled with over a dozen unsung heroes with links to Sheffield recognised.
Among the most famous honoured by the King are television writer Roy Clarke, famous for Open All Hours and Last of The Summer Wine - who is one of four people to be knighted this year - along with figure skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, who will be made a Dame and Sir for services to ice skating.
Also to be knighted is actor Idris Elba, known for his role in Luther, who will be made a Sir for services to young people, having founded the Elba Hope Foundation.
But more locally, also featuring in the list is legendary Rotherham-born Chuckle Brother Paul Elliot, who will receive an OBE for his services as an ambassador for cancer charity Marie Curie, a cause he and brother Barry championed before and after Barry’s death in 2018.
Among the others with links to South Yorkshire and who feature on the list community leaders, dedicated volunteers and devoted educators.
They include an MBE for headteacher Vanessa Langley, who has served as the beating heart of Arbourthorne Community Primary School for over 17 years.
Ms Langley’s many accolades include an Inspirational Woman of Sheffield Award for children’s service and work on a Poverty Strategy, while her school’s most recent Ofsted report praised her specifically for “a relentless focus on ensuring her vision for pupils to gain the best possible start in life is realised.”
Other women recognised with honours included Lucy Whitehouse, founder of award-winning sex education charity Fumble, who will receive an MBE, and Wickersley community champion Jane Shore, who was awarded a BEM.
Some of South Yorkshire’s volunteering heroes include chairman of Dronfield Rugby Club Terence Hensby, whose tireless services to community rugby have earned him a BEM.
Chair of Stocksbridge Community Leisure Graham Silverwood, who is credited with almost 30 years of involvement with locally based organisations including Deepcar Village Hall and chair of the Stocksbridge Futures Partnership, was awarded a BEM.
Sheffield’s Director of Public Health Greg Fell, who has been in post for a decade and was at the helm during the Covid-19 pandemic - including seeing one of the highest vaccine uptake rates in the country - will receive an OBE.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "This year's Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain - people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.
"Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you - and congratulations to everyone recognised today."
See the list below for the national and community heroes with links to South Yorkshire named in the King’s New Year’s Honours 2026, and what they received.
South Yorkshire in the King’s New Year’s Honours 2026
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Thomas George William Greig - A Home Office civil servant with 20 years experience, with roles including Head of the Windrush Compensation Scheme and was appointed Director of Passports, Citizenship and Civil Registration as well as Registrar General for England and Wales in 2024. Awarded for Public Service.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Professor Alan Keith Fletcher - A Sheffield Teaching Hospital senior who pioneered the medical examiner role in 2008 and has served as National Medical Examiner for England and Wales for six years. Awarded for services to the NHS.
Greg Fell - Director of Public Health for Sheffield for over a decade including during the Covid-19 pandemic. Awarded for services to the NHS.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Vanessa Langley - Headteacher of Arbourthorne Community Primary School in Sheffield, where she has been praised as its key driver for improvement and national recognition for over 15 years. Awarded for services to education.
Andrew Simpson - Chief Executive Officer of Doncaster Refurnish, a charity that uses recycling furniture and household goods as a training opportunity to support vulnerable people. Awarded for services to Social Enterprise.
Lucy Whitehouse - Founder and Chief Executive Officer of award-winning sex education charity Fumble. Awarded for services to Teenage Education
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Terence Hensby - Chairman of Dronfield Rugby Club and credited with decades of volunteer work for rugby in the region. Awarded for services to Community Rugby.
John Housley - A member of Ecclesfield Parish Council for the Chapeltown ward. Awarded for services to the community in Chapeltown.
Dominic Hurley - A fundraiser for disability causes who himself suffered a brain injury at 21 and has led many initiatives to destigmatise disabilities. Awarded for services to Charity.
Jane Elizabeth Shore - Listed online as an invigilator for Wickersley Sports College and known for her fundraising and involvement in community efforts. Awarded for services to the community in Wickersley.
John Graham Silverwood - Chair of Stocksbridge Community Leisure and credited with almost 30 years of involvement with locally based organisations. Awarded for services to the community in Stocksbridge.
Adam Tinsley - A councillor for Maltby Town Town and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, and vice chair of the Improving Places Select Commission. Awarded for services to the community in Maltby.