Stephen Fry ‘startled’ to be knighted along with MasterChef legend in New Year Honours
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This year’s New Year Honours list is incredibly star-studded with everyone from TV icons to literary legends to sporting heroes being recognised. The long list for 2024 includes honours for British icons like Stephen Fry, Loyd Grossman, Tom Baker, Jacqueline Wilson, and Alan Titchmarsh.
![[LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Stephen Fry poses in the green room during day three of the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival at BFI Southbank on May 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234569935-7e91.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Sir Stephen, 67, said he was ‘startled and enchanted’ to be knighted, along with London mayor Sadiq Khan and footballing legend Gareth Southgate. The Blackadder star was recognised for his services to mental health awareness, the environment, and to charity, having been president of Mind since 2011.
He said it was ‘out of the blue’ but was ‘very proud’ and ‘very pleased’, adding: ‘It’s all too easy to think that a mental illness is somehow something deeper and more to do with a failure inside. ‘It’s an incredibly important field and everybody from the King and his children have made it part of their work to talk about it, and other people in the public eye have been open about it.’.
![[Myleene Klass smiling and wearing a burgundy top]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEI_229577176-1838.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
He has also supported the conservation group Fauna and Flora International, of which the Prince of Wales is patron. Sir Stephen isn’t the only one getting a nice new title though as MasterChef legend Loyd Grossman is also receiving a Knight Bachelor.
![[Sarah Lancashire at the Black Doves premiere, wearing a brown coat and black top]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2188065514.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
He was honoured for his contributions to the arts and heritage, having been chairman of The Royal Parks during its transition into a charity. Sir Loyd, 74, is best known for his range of cooking sauces but hosted MasterChef in the 1990s and the ITV panel show Through The Keyhole with Sir David Frost from 1987 until 2003.
![[LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Actor Kevin Whately arrives to attend The Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards at London Palladium on March 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234569847-2565.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
