Sir Kevin Sinfield and England's Lionesses lead the list of King's birthday honours
And the head of a South Yorkshire academic trust was given a CBE
Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield and six of the European Championship-winning Lionesses lead the King's Birthday Honours announced today.
Sinfield was knighted, becoming Sir Kevin, while members of the England women's football team were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Sir Kevin was applauded through the streets of Sheffield in December 2025 on his ‘7 in 7: Together’ challenge where he ran seven ultra-marathons one after another across England in a tireless fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease.
In fact, the legendary Leeds Rhinos player completed six running challenges, having been inspired by former team-mate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with MND for four-and-a-half years.
The former England rugby league captain, who has so far raised more than £10 million for MND charities, received a knighthood for his services to the MND community, as well as for services to league and union rugby.
"I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the rugby and MND communities," Sir Kevin said.
"Since I first played rugby when I was seven, rugby league has given me so much.
"I am particularly proud to follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Billy Boston with rugby league's second-ever knighthood in over 130 years of the sport. Sir Billy overcame so much in his life and is still loved by the game."
Sir Kevin, 45, is taking on his seventh and final endurance challenge - all of which have been based around the number seven as it was the number Burrow wore in his playing days - in September this year.
In football, Chloe Kelly, who sent crowds in Sheffield and cross England into triumphant cheers when she scored the winning penalty in last summer's nail-biting Euros final, was one of the players to be made an MBE.
At 20 years old, rising star forward Michelle Agyemang is the youngest recipient on the list.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forwards Alessia Russo and Lauren James, and defender Jess Carter were also honoured.
Nearly 1,200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list.
Sheffield names included Thomas William Banham, chief executive of Hoyland Common Academy Trust, who received a CBE for services to education.
Another is Sheffield’s Richard Mark Morris, Head of GB Para Badminton, who received an MBE for services to Sport and Disabled People.
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi became an MBE for his services to music and charity, and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley received the same honour for her services to drama and her charity work.
Iommi said: "What an unbelievable honour to receive an MBE.
"It's been a privilege doing something I love and then to see that music connects with so many over the years."
Riley, who turns 50 in July, told the Press Association : "Wow, if this is not my best 50th birthday present, being awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list, I don't know what is.
"To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement.
"Thank you so much, my heart is the warmest it could ever be."
David Sproxton and Peter Lord, the co-founders of the Academy Award-winning animation studio behind beloved characters such as Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, were both knighted for their services to the creative industries and to charity.
Sir David and Sir Peter founded Aardman together more than 50 years ago.
Broadcaster and musician Cerys Matthews became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to music.
The Catatonia singer, who fronts a weekly show on BBC Radio 6 Music, was made an MBE in 2014.
DJ Judge Jules, who became an MBE, said the honour feels like "a reward for my industry" while TV presenter Anneka Rice was made an MBE for her services to charity and broadcasting.
She took on various tasks in her show Challenge Anneka, which aired from 1989 to 1995 and was briefly revived in 2023, often to raise money for charity.
The Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson and Noughts and Crosses author Malorie Blackman both received damehoods for their services to literature.
Dame Julia was the UK's best-selling author last year, overtaking Harry Potter creator JK Rowling amid the Gruffalo's continued popularity and the success of more recent characters like Zog the dragon.
Businessman Dave Fishwick , who inspired Netflix's Bank of Dave film, was made an OBE for services to finance, business and charity.
He told PA that being made an OBE was "wonderful" and "unbelievable".
Beauty entrepreneur and make-up artist to the stars, Charlotte Tilbury , was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
The 53-year-old founded her eponymous beauty brand in 2013 after working as a celebrity make-up artist for more than 20 years, having created looks for the likes of Kate Moss and Kim Kardashian .
The oldest recipient was 101-year-old Pauline Hough , who received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to theatre and to the community in Nantwich , Cheshire .
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them.
"Their dedication shows how lasting change is built - through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others.
"It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and on behalf of the whole nation, I want to say thank you."