The 2026 Birthday Honours List will soon be announced, honouring 1,182 recipients from across the UK, including volunteers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and those displaying moral courage. However, many famous names have previously declined such awards.
Why Some Celebrities Rejected Honours
David Bowie famously refused a knighthood, stating: "I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don't know what it's for." Comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders declined OBEs in 2001, feeling they didn't deserve a pat on the back for well-paid work. TV chef Nigella Lawson turned down her OBE, saying: "I'm not saving lives."
Notable Rejections
- Stephen Hawking declined a knighthood in the 1990s, possibly due to government science funding cuts.
- John Lennon returned his MBE in 1969 to protest British foreign policy.
- George Harrison refused an OBE in 2000, reportedly feeling insulted by not receiving a knighthood like Paul McCartney.
- Benjamin Zephaniah rejected an OBE in 2003, citing the British Empire's history of slavery and brutality.
- Michael Sheen returned his OBE in 2017 after researching England-Wales history.
- John Cleese dismissed a CBE as 'silly' and later declined a peerage to avoid overwintering in the UK.
- Paul Weller politely declined a CBE in 2006, saying it wasn't for him.
- Roald Dahl refused a knighthood in 1986 for undisclosed reasons.
- Bernie Ecclestone turned down an honour in the early 2000s, believing he didn't deserve it.
- Jon Snow declined an OBE in 2000 after failing to find out who proposed him.
- Ken Loach rejected an OBE in 1977, calling it despicable and linked to the British Empire.
- Danny Boyle turned down an honour for the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, feeling it was a collective effort.
- LS Lowry is said to have rejected more honours than anyone, including a knighthood.
- Huw T Edwards refused a knighthood twice, uncomfortable with honours.
- Rudyard Kipling declined a knighthood in 1899 and 1903, believing he could work better without it.
- Honor Blackman turned down a CBE in 2002 due to her support for an elected head of state.
- Jim Broadbent snubbed an OBE in 2002, thinking honours should go to those who help others.
- Albert Finney shunned a CBE and knighthood, calling knighthoods a symptom of snobbery.
- Andrew Davies reportedly refused an honour for undisclosed reasons.
- Alan Rickman is believed to have declined a CBE.
- John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) refused an MBE, unsurprisingly given his band's anti-establishment stance.
The honours are awarded by the King on recommendations from the Prime Minister or senior ministers, with public nominations making up about a quarter of all recommendations.
