Kevin Sinfield knighted in King's Birthday Honours - as Helen Mirren and England's Lionesses receive awards

Rugby league star Kevin Sinfield has been knighted in the King's Birthday Honours, with Dame Helen Mirren and members of the England women's football team among those receiving awards.

Sir Kevin has been awarded a knighthood after completing six running challenges, inspired by his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate and friend Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with motor neurone disease (MND) for four-and-a-half years.

The former England rugby league captain, who has raised more than £11m for charities dedicated to the disease, received the honour for his services to the MND community, as well as for services to both rugby league and union.

"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."

Sir Kevin, 45, said he was "particularly proud" to be one of just two league players ever knighted, after Sir Billy Boston received the distinction last year.

Burrow's widow Lindsey said: "On behalf of the whole Burrow family, I would like to congratulate Kevin on his knighthood. We are all delighted for him and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.

"Kevin did so much for Rob but also the whole MND community with raising awareness and funds to support families and aid research."

On Sir Kevin's knighthood, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham wrote on X that it was "truly... the best news I've heard in a long time and starts to restore my faith in the honours system".

Actress Dame Helen Mirren was also among the King's birthday honours, being made a Companion of Honour - one of only 65 - for services to drama.

She won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film, The Queen.

In football, Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning penalty for England's Lionesses in last summer's Euros final, was one of the players to be made an MBE.

Other MBE recipients included rising star forward, Michelle Agyemang, who was the youngest recipient on the list at age 20.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forwards Alessia Russo and Lauren James, and defender Jess Carter were also honoured.

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.

Businessman Dave Fishwick, who inspired Netflix's Bank Of Dave film, was made an OBE for services to finance, business and charity. He said the honour was "wonderful" and "unbelievable".

Black Sabbath guitarist, Tony Iommi, became an MBE in recognition of his services to music and charity.

Others named included Emmerdale actress, Lisa Riley, who was made an MBE for her services to drama and her charity work.

David Sproxton and Peter Lord, co-founders of Aardman Animations, the Academy Award-winning studio behind characters such as Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, were both knighted for their services to the creative industries and to charity.

The Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson and Noughts and Crosses author Malorie Blackman both received damehoods for their services to literature.

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And beauty entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury was made a CBE.

The oldest recipient was 101-year-old Pauline Hough, who received a British Empire Medal for services to theatre and to the community in Nantwich, Cheshire.

Another recipient of an award was Vittoria Bucknall, a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, who treated those injured in the Southport knife attack in July 2024. She receives a British Empire Medal (BEM).

In total, nearly 1,200 people in the UK received honours in the latest list.

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."

The prime minister added: "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."

(c) Sky News 2026: Kevin Sinfield knighted in King's Birthday Honours - as Helen Mirren and England's Lio