2021 has been a year like no other, there have been highs and there have been many lows.
However, in spite of it all some celebs have gone the extra mile when it comes to their talents and inspiration.
As part of the usual Great British tradition, many familiar faces have made The New Year Honours list – which marks the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.
From outstanding charity work, supporting others, speaking up on important issues and excellent work in the field of entertainment – we’ve got it all.
Here, Daily Star explores and celebrates those who have certainly gone the extra mile this year.
Mel B
(Image: PA)
Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown has been awarded an MBE for her remarkable work supporting victims of domestic violence, working with Women’s Aid charity to raise awareness.
The 46-year-old songstress opened up about her own violent experiences in a bid to provide support to others who had faced similar situations.
As a patron for Women’s Aid, Mel wanted to reach more women to spread the word that there was help out there.
Speaking about her award, Mel who joined the charity in 2018 said: “This has taken so long to sink in because it means so much to me – more than anyone will ever know. It’s such mixed emotions.
“To go through such dark times and then to start coming into the light and speaking out for myself and other women has been at times incredibly painful but also unbelievably empowering.
“I feel I’m accepting this award on behalf of all women who have gone through — or going through — abuse in all its shapes and forms.
“I am so grateful not just to be a survivor but to have a platform to keep speaking out as Patron of Women’s Aid.”
Ashley Banjo
The Diversity dance choreographer caused quite a stir last year when he performed a routine on Britains Got Talent which supported the importance of racial equality.
While there had been a lot of ruffled feathers over the BGT performance – with many complaints submitted to Ofcom, Ashley remained defiant that those people had been in the “minority”.
In an Instagram post at the time, the Dancing on Ice judge explained he’d received “hundreds of thousands of messages, comments, DMs and just interactions in the street”, that had been “overwhelming”.
However, that didn’t stop nasty online bullies from sending “everything from racial abuse to threats to some really nasty stuff”, he told fans.
The TV star added: “A lot of the negativity and the nastiness and the racism shows exactly why this performance was needed, and exactly why this conversation that has now arisen from it is necessary. Racism is very real. I knew it before, and I definitely know it now.”
Ashley is said to be “humbled and extremely proud” to have been made an MBE following a tough year when racial equality could not have been more important.
Kate Garraway
(Image: PA)
The Good Morning Britain star has also been made an MBE this year after she shared harrowing insight into her husband Derek Draper’s frightful coronavirus battle – that almost claimed his life.
It really was touch-and-go for Kate Garraway’s husband at one point after the deadly disease had left him in a critical condition in hospital.
Kate documented her uphill struggles in Finding Derek earlier this year which saw her break down in tears not knowing if her husband would ever make it home.
After a year in hospital, Derek was finally reunited with his family in April but he was far from out of the woods where his health had been concerned.
Offering an update on his current condition, Kate told ITV viewers recently: “Obviously, he still has extraordinary problems with communication, mobility is very limited, massive problems with fatigue.”
June Brown
(Image: PA)
The English actress who is better known for her role as chain-smoking Dot Cotton on the BBC One soaphttps://www.dailystar.co.uk/latest/eastenders
has been made an OBE in the New Years Honours.
June, 94, has been in the business for almost four decades – with most of her career spent on Albert Square as the beloved chain-smoking Christian laundrette assistant.
After quitting the programme, June proved that she wasn’t prepared to give up on acting just yet as she then voiced the role of Margey in audio drama Missing You in December 2020.
Daniel Craig
(Image: PA)
The James Bond stud himself has been awarded the very same order as the 007 character he plays in the film – the order of St Michale and St George.
Daniel, 53, has been one of the longest standing Bond actors having joined the cast in 2006 with Casino Royale.
The latest 2021 instalment No Time To Die, received five star reviews from many film buffs in the industry and smashed all expectation at the Box Office.
It really is no wonder that the iconic actor made the list this year for his contribution to the big screen.
William Roach
(Image: PA)
The iconic Coronation Street actor is “delighted” to have been made an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Bill made his debut on the cobbles when the show very first aired on 9th December 1960 as the lovable Ken Barlow.
Last year, Ken contracted Covid-19 and was missing from the soap for some time before he was well enough to work again.
In September, the star reprised his role once more – much to the delight of fans.
Joanna Lumley
(Image: PA)
The actress expressed her glee after she had been informed that she would now be made a dame in the New Years Honours.
Speaking about her award, Joanna said she was “astonished, thrilled and touched beyond words”.
The 75-year-old bombshell who is better known for her role as Patsy Stone on the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, working alongside Jennifer Saunders.
In 2008, Lumley launched the Gurkha Justice Campaign – in support of all Nepalese veterans who served in the British Army before 1997 – in hope of having the right to settle in Britain.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
