The actor Nigel Hawthorne and the Formula One motor-racing chief, Mr Frank Williams, both receive knighthoods in the annual ritual of the New Year's Honours List.
The list, which is drawn up principally by the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, with recommendations from the public and nominations from Buckingham Palace, contains 981 names. This year 560 people have been recognised for voluntary service to the community, the largest single category. The awards made with public support make up 43 per cent of the list. Nigel Hawthorne is best known for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the cunning political spin-doctor in the comedy series, Yes, Minister. He also excelled in the title role in The Madness of King George. Mr Frank Williams's knighthood comes after a long career in Formula One with his successful racing team, and a difficult personal life in which he was confined to a wheelchair after a car accident in Monte Carlo 12 years ago.
The former 007 actor, Roger Moore (71), receives the CBE in recognition of his work with the children's charity, UNICEF. Moore took on the role as a goodwill ambassador in 1991, and the Executive Director of UNICEF UK, Mr Robert Smith, said the charity was delighted that Moore's work had been recognised. The actress and comedienne Maureen Lipman, who has appeared as a protective Jewish mother in a successful series of British Telecom ads in recent years, receives the CBE for services to comedy drama. Tom Jones, whose 30-year career has been revived with re-worked songs like What's New Pussycat and It's Not Unusual, receives the OBE, as does another singer from the 1960s, Dusty Springfield. The "Peter Pan" of the entertainment business, David Essex, also receives the OBE in recognition of his charity work, in particular with Voluntary Service Overseas.
The actor Robert Carlyle (37), who became famous for his roles as a male stripper in The Full Monty and as the violent, drug-dealing Begbie in Trainspotting, is awarded an OBE. The comic Lenny Henry (40) receives the CBE for his work with the charity, Comic Relief, which raises funds for deprived children in Britain and overseas.
Among those honoured in the media are Mr Harry Roche, former chairman and chief executive of the Guardian and now chairman of the Press Association, who receives a knighthood. In the sporting arena, the England pace bowler, Angus Fraser, currently on tour with the team in Australia, receives an MBE. The former England football captain, Stuart Pearce, also receives the MBE. The former England and West Ham footballer, Trevor Brooking, who is now a football commentator, receives the CBE. And one of the most popular snooker players of his generation, Jimmy White, receives the MBE. Prince Naseem Hamed, the flamboyant World Boxing Association featherweight champion, receives an MBE, as does his Irish former trainer, Mr Brendan Ingle, who recently split from the boxer in acrimonious circumstances.
The leaders of industry are also recognised, including Ms Clare Spottiswoode, former director of Ofgas, who receives a CBE for services to the gas industry and consumers. Mr Maurice Victor Blank, former chairman of Charterhouse, deputy chairman of Great Universal Stores and chairman at the Mirror Newspaper Group, receives a knighthood.
One of the more newsworthy names on the list is Sir Michael Scholar, the permanent secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry, who is also awarded a knighthood. Before the former trade and industry secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, resigned last week over his £373,000 home loan, he admitted he should have sought Sir Michael's advice about whether the loan should have been declared in the Register of Members' Interests. In Queen Elizabeth's personal gift is a knighthood for the surgeon-oculist, Mr Patrick Holmes Sellors, who is credited with saving the Queen Mother's eyesight. He becomes a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO).
Rubbing shoulders with the famous names from sport, entertainment and industry are those individuals who have been honoured with the MBE for their contribution to their local communities. They include Mr Michael Holmes, a janitor with the Central Primary School in Inverness, for his services to education; Mr Harry McArthur, a mobile grocer on the Isle of Skye, for his services to the rural retail trade; and Mr George Owen, a taxi-driver, for his contribution to the taxi industry and the community in London.
Five new life peers were created despite the recent furore over the role of the House of Lords.