Olympic heroes lead honours list

Sir Steve celebrates his latest award with his family

Great Britain's Olympic gold medal champions head a star-studded list of people celebrated in the New Year's Honours List.

Steve Redgrave, who won a record fifth gold medal in Sydney, is knighted while his rowing partner Matthew Pinsent is made a CBE.

Comedian Spike Milligan - awarded an honorary knighthood - leads figures from the world of showbusiness.

Numerous stars from stage and screen are also honoured alongside a host of "ordinary" people, including milkmen, postmen and street sweepers.

Spike Milligan: Honorary knighthood

Redgrave, widely tipped to be made a knight, said the award topped off a marvellous year.

"Having gone through the heights of the Olympic games five times and picking up honours along the way, it's now finished with a knighthood - it's unbelievable," he said.

His victorious coxless four teammates are also honoured. Pinsent earns a CBE for his third gold, while James Cracknell and Tim Foster receive MBEs.

It's now finished with a knighthood - it's unbelievable

Steve Redgrave

Triple jump hero Jonathan Edwards is made a CBE and heptathlete Denise Lewis is made an OBE after striking gold on the track.

There are also MBEs for Olympic winners in boxing - where super-heavyweight Audley Harrison won gold - sailing, cycling, shooting, and modern pentathlon.

Jonathan Edwards: Made a CBE

Great Britain's paralympians have also been recognised, with MBEs for Caroline Innes, Kenny Cairns and Isabel Newstead.

In other sports, former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and Italian-born jockey Frankie Dettori are made honorary MBEs.

The entertainment honours are led by Milligan's honorary knighthood.

His wife Shelagh, 56, said he was "delighted and thrilled" to receive the title.

"I asked Spike what his reaction was and he simply said 'help' and no more," she said.

Among the stars of television who picked up awards are Coronation Street star William Roache who has been made an MBE.

William Roache: Celebrating in the Street

The actor has played the Street's Ken Barlow for the whole of the ITV soap opera's 40-year run.

"It's a tremendous honour to receive this, as it has given me a great feeling of being appreciated," he said.

Jim Davidson, comedian and presenter of the Generation Game, has been made an OBE.

Davidson set up his own charitable body - the British Forces Foundation - to raise money to entertain troops.

I never saw myself getting one

Jim Davidson

TV prankster Jeremy Beadle was also made an MBE for his work for charitable services, especially the Foundation for Children with Leukaemia.

Actor Tom Courtenay, star of films including Dr Zhivago and Billy Liar, has been made a knight.

There is also a knighthood for astronomer and author Patrick Moore, 77, who has presented The Sky At Night for the BBC for more than 40 years.

I'm afraid I can't quite get used to the idea of being Sir Patrick

Patrick Moore

He said he was delighted with the award.

"I wasn't a bit surprised - I was astounded because I think there are many other people who deserve a knighthood far more," he said.

Paul Scofield, 78, one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of his generation, has been made a Companion of Honour.

Composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle, who has been at the forefront of modernist contemporary music for more than 20 years, was also made a Companion of Honour.

Zoe Wanamaker: An honorary MBE

Actress Charlotte Rampling, who starred in films such as Georgy Girl and The Night Porter, is made an OBE in the diplomatic list "for services to acting and UK-French cultural relations".

Actress Zoe Wanamaker is made an honorary CBE.

Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, is made an OBE in the diplomatic list.

Veteran actor Joss Ackland, 71, whose starring roles include major parts in hugely successful films such as Shadowlands and White Mischief is made a CBE.

Jazz clarinettist Acker Bilk, 71, is made an MBE.

Novelist and screenwriter Fay Weldon said she was "flattered" to be made a CBE for services to literature.

Veteran broadcaster Sue Lawley, who hosts Desert Island Discs, is made an MBE along with actor Trevor Harrison, who has played Eddie Grundy in BBC Radio 4's The Archers for more than 20 years.

Jenny Abramsky, director of BBC Radio and Music, is made a CBE.

Tiggy Legge-Bourke: Member of the Royal Victorian Order

She launched Radio 5 Live, BBC News 24 and BBC News Online, and was editor of the corporation's flagship Today programme.

Annie Nightingale, Radio 1's first female DJ, is made an MBE.

There is also an award for Prince William's and Prince Harry's nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who is made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).

Floella Benjamin, chairman of Bafta and former Playschool presenter, is made an OBE.

She has gained admiration from the Queen for her work promoting the Commonwealth

There are also awards for "ordinary" people including a school's crossing patrol officer and a man who has been sweeping the streets of the Cardiff suburb of Llandaff for more than 22 years.

Charles Alloway said he could not believe his MBE.

"It is a wonderful gift from the people of Llandaff," he said.