While receiving an honour from the Queen is regarded as a huge honour to many stars – not all have welcomed being chosen to receive the prestigious accolades.
Some have turned their back on the awards in the Queen’s New Year lists due to political and personal reasons.
Famously The Beatles star John Lennon accepted his MBE in 1965 but returned it four years later – citing Britain’s political stance as a reason.
The singer explained his decision in a letter to the Queen, saying he didn’t want the award due to “the Nigeria-Biafra thing” (The Nigerian Civil War).
Other reasons the star were Britain’s support of the USA’s war in Vietnam and “’Cold Turkey’ [by Plastic Ono Band] slipping down the charts”.
In recent years it has become increasingly common for celebs to refuse an honour.
As the New Year’s Honours list is revealed today, Daily Star Online casts an eye on some of the stars who have snubbed titles.
David Bowie
David Bowie first refused a CBE in 2000 and later a knighthood in 2003 (Image: Getty Images)
Iconic singer David Bowie turned his nose up at two honours.
He first refused a CBE in 2000 and later a knighthood in 2003, which would have seen him join musicians Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Paul McCartney in receiving the honour.
He later explained his snub, saying: “I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don’t know what it’s for. It’s not what I spent my life working for.”
When quizzed about his feelings over Jagger receiving the honour he said, “it’s his decision. But it’s just not for me”.
Skepta
Skepta claim he turned down an honour in his “Hypocrisy” track (Image: Getty Images for Greenwich Peninsula)
Grime MC Skepta claims he turned down an MBE for the 2017 New Year’s Honours.
He made his claim in the track released that year named “Hypocrisy”.
The musician told in one verse: “Just came back from the Ivors/ And look at what we collected/ The MBE got rejected/I’m not trying to be accepted.”
Skepta won the Mercury Prize for his fourth album Konnichiwa, which included top 40 entries including That’s Not Me.
The album was also regarded as one of the best albums of 2016 by NME, the Guardian and Apple Music.
Skepta also got three Brit Award nominations in 2017.
John Lennon
Famously The Beatles star John Lennon accepted his MBE in 1965 but returned it four years later (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Beatles star John Lennon returned his MBE in 1969.
At the time he explained his decision in an interview to David Bellan of BBC Radio Four. The singer said he had been “mulling it over” for the past two years.
He also told that the My Lai massacre carried out by the US Army during the Vietnam War in March 1968 contributed to his decision.
Lennon also explained he had not consulted the other Beatles before returning his MBE.
According to Lennon he only accepted it after being persuaded by The Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
Paul Weller
Paul Weller was named in the Queen’s 2006 birthday honours (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The former Jam singer was awarded a CBE in the 2006 birthday honours but rejected the offer.
In a statement a spokesperson for Weller simply said: “Paul was surprised and flattered, but it wasn’t really for him.”
French and Saunders
French and Saunders didn’t ‘feel worthy of the honour’ (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The comedy duo turned down OBEs in 2001 for “for services to comedy drama” – because they didn’t ‘feel worthy of the honour’.
Explaining their decision in 2008 Saunders said: “If I felt I deserved a Damehood I’d accept it.
“At the time, we felt that we were being paid very well to have a lot of fun. It didn’t seem right somehow… It felt a bit fake to stand alongside people who devoted their lives to truly worthy causes.”
Danny Boyle
Danny Boyle was awarded an honour for his work on the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony (Image: Getty Images for Universal Pictu)
The film director was offered a knighthood after he choreographed the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
Danny, who is an award-winning film director, later told he’d rather be a “man of the people” and that he’s proud to be an “equal citizen” which was reflected in his Opening Ceremony.
“It’s just not me”, he said. He added thousands were involved in executing the ceremony.
“You can make these speeches about ‘this is everybody’s work, blah blah blah’.
“And you’ve got to mean it, and I did mean it, and it is true, and it’s the only way you can carry on something like that: through the efforts of all the people.”
Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking turned down a knighthood in the late 1990s (Image: Getty Images)
Late British scientist Stephen Hawking is a professor and author who is known for his groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology.
He told how he turned down a knighthood in the late 1990s – over the UK government’s approach to science funding.
His spokesman also explained the decision, saying: “Prof Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them.”
At the time professor also spoke about his dissatisfaction with how the British government was funding scientific research.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
