The King’s New Year Honour’s list was announced on Monday December 29 and there were no real surprises in it – other than those who were omitted. Of the 1,157 recipients a number of big names, including Idris Elba, Warwick Davis and Bill Bailey were given honours, as well as singer Ellie Goulding and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo. Ice dancing Olympic legends Torvill and Dean were finally made a Dame and a Sir. over 50 year’s after they did Britain proud winning gold for their Bolero. Even Little Britain’s Matt Lucas got a nod despite controversies around his most famous show.

But it is the names who didn’t make the list who stand out. As worthy as all of those honoured are there is a plethora of celebrities who have been overlooked for an accolade for far too long. From the early riser who has dedicated a quarter of a century of their life to morning TV to the accomplished equestrian soap icon these household names all deserve to be recognised… but we know why they haven’t been.

Susanna Reid

Despite spending almost a quarter of a century since 2001 getting out of bed when even the earliest of birds are still sleeping, in order to ensure the public wake up to their favourite breakfast shows, Susanna has yet to receive royal acknowledgement. Meanwhile, her occasional Good Morning Britain co-host Adil Ray received an OBE in 2016 for his services to broadcasting. Only Eamonn Holmes has longer consistent service on morning TV, having begun in 1993. But he got an OBE back in 2018.

This is surely an oversight on the part of advisors to the King who clearly aren’t early risers if they haven’t mentioned her name when it comes to the accolades.

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Alexander Armstrong

Alexander Armstrong has firmly ensconced himself as a National Treasure thanks to his long running role presenting Pointless abd his work as an actor, author and singer. Yet he is continually overlooked for a gong, even though his former Pointless co-star Richard Osman was granted one in the most recent list for “services to literature and broadcasting”.

Given that Alexander has even more strings to his bow than Richard, this seems like a huge oversight on the monarch’s part – unless there is confusion with his distant relation William Armstrong, who was made Baron Armstrong in 1887. As it stands though, Alexander holds no title.

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Shirley Ballas

With both Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly getting MBEs for Services to Broadcasting in the King’s Birthday Honours list, you’d think Shirley would also have been in the running for a gong.

However, as of yet, the “Queen of Latin” remains without a royal honour despite her extensive showiz career, her efforts as a dance teacher and her charity work, particuarly in the area of suicide prevention.

There is no good reason for this oversight unless the King simply wrote “the lovely lady from Strictly” on his birthday honours list last year and his assistants assumed he meant Tess and Claudia.

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Sophie Ellis-Bextor

She may have kept people sane during lockdown with her kitchen discos – and contributed to one of the greatest scenes in British movie history when her anthem Murder On the Dancefloor was added to the Saltburn soundtrack – but apparently that is not enough to get Sophie a gong.

Historically pop princesses have to do more than just sing to get recognised by actual royalty. Ellie Goulding’s MBE on this year’s list was for services to biodiversity and the climate rather than her music. Meanwhile Spice Girl Mel B received her gong for for her services to charitable causes and vulnerable women. Sophie needs to adopt a cause and she will be a shoo in next year.

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Jason Manford

Comedian and actor Jason Manford ticks all the usual boxes to get a gong. He has excelled in his entertainment career and is heavily invovled in community driven charity work.

The only reason I can fathom that he hasn’t been given a nod at this stage is that the King is worried he will increase his rate for hosting the Royal Variety Show if he has letters after his name.

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Claire King

She may play a Lady of the Manor in Emmerdale but in real life Claire King doesn’t have so much as an OBE. This is despite her hugely successful four-decade-long acting career, which has seen her create some iconic characters.

She also dedicates a lot of time to charity work and shares the Royal Family’s love of horses, being an accomplished equestrian herself. The only possible good reason she hasn’t been acknowledged is if the decision makers aren’t a a fan of her on screen “soap villain” persona.

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Sarah Brightman

The fact that one of the UKs biggest opera exports hasn’t received a nod from royalty seems terribly awry. She brought opera to the masses in her early career with numerous crossover hits. She also originated the lead female role in one of the world’s biggest musicals, The Phantom of the Opera, which still generates a huge amount for the UK economy four decades after it’s release. Without her talents in the early years, it may not have fared so well.

She remains the world’s biggest selling soprano and still finds time for charity work. She is a UNESCO Artist for Peace, supporting STEM scholarships for young women, and partnering with organisations such as The Global FoodBanking Network to combat hunger. Clearly she is not considered as so much of her work is outside of the UK but she is long overdue a royal gong.

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