Actors, comedians and Post Office victim among those honoured by the King

The King has presented honours to 68 people, including a knighthood to Luther actor Idris Elba, in a star-studded ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Sir Idris, 53, was awarded a knighthood for services to young people, after he founded the Elba Hope Foundation.

Among others to be recognised for their work in the New Years Honours by the King were actress Dame Meera Syal, Olympic ice skating champions Christopher Torvill and Jayne Dean, as well as Chuckle Brother Paul Elliott.

The 78-year-old comedian, who was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for charitable service, said he had a "really good" conversation with the King.

Asked whether he was tempted to reference the brothers' famous catchphrase when collecting his medal, Mr Elliott said: "I was at one point, and thought, 'I'd better not'".

The comedian wasn't the only one to think about cracking a joke.

Jokes shared

Ice skating champion Sir Christopher Dean joked with the King that he is enjoying retirement and would "recommend it" as he was honoured alongside Dame Jayne Torvill.

The pair made history when they took home the Olympic gold at the 1984 Winter Games for their "Bolero" performance, and later became the faces of celebrity competition show Dancing on Ice.

Asked about their conversation with King Charles, Dame Jayne said he asked whether they were still skating and told her he was "so pleased" to recognise their achievements.

Post Office Horizon scandal victim honoured

Also among those to be honoured on Tuesday was 93-year-old Betty Brown, thought to be the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.

Mrs Brown, who ran a Post Office in County Durham with her late husband Oswall from 1985 to 2003, estimates they lost around £100,000 of their own money to cover non-existent shortfalls.

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The Fujitsu-run Horizon accounting system made it appear that money was missing from sub-postmasters' branch accounts.

It is at the centre of the long-running Post Office scandal, which saw around 1,000 people wrongly prosecuted and convicted throughout the UK between 1999 and 2015.

One of the original victims who took part in the group legal action led by Sir Alan Bates against the Post Office, Mrs Brown was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to justice after her campaigning.

(c) Sky News 2026: Actors, comedians and Post Office victim among those honoured by the King