In a celebration of sporting excellence, darts sensations Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have both been awarded MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours list, acknowledging the remarkable influence their rivalry has had on the sport. Littler made history earlier this year by becoming the youngest world darts champion at just 17 years and 347 days, while Humphries, who defeated Littler in the world final the year before, triumphed in the Premier League Darts.
Darts legend Deta Hedman, a trailblazer with world-ranked titles spanning five decades and the first black woman to compete in the PDC World Championship in 2020, has been recognised with an OBE. Her contribution to the sport, both competitively and culturally, has been profound.
Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade has been elevated to a CBE for her long-standing impact on British tennis. Meanwhile, David Lawrence, the former Gloucestershire bowler who claimed 625 wickets for his county and represented England, has been made an MBE. Lawrence, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year, described the honour as a deeply meaningful part of his legacy. His reflection on the accolade highlighted his pride as a Gloucester native and the importance of raising awareness and research funding for the disease.
Devon Malcolm, another former England pace bowler, has received an OBE. Steven Davies, who made headlines in 2011 by becoming the first male international cricketer to come out as gay, has been honoured with an MBE, underscoring the growing recognition of inclusivity in sport.
Two-time Olympic triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee has also been awarded an OBE, while Rachel Daly, who starred for England during their victorious UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 campaign, has received an MBE for her contributions to football.
In broader sporting fields, Frank Rothwell, the owner of Oldham Athletic, has been made an OBE for his work in supporting dementia research. Ten-time Paralympic gold medallist Monica Vaughan has also been recognised with an OBE, acknowledging her historic achievements in swimming.
Andy Lapthorne, a decorated wheelchair tennis player with 18 grand slam titles, has been made an MBE, highlighting continued support for para-sports excellence. Natasha Jonas, a two-weight world boxing champion, has also been honoured with an MBE, reflecting her accomplishments inside the ring and as a role model.
Other recipients include motorcycle road racer Michael Dunlop, professional golfer Trish Johnson, and BBC gymnastics commentator Christine Still all of whom have been awarded MBEs in recognition of their respective contributions to their sports.
This year’s honours list reflects the diversity, dedication, and excellence of individuals who have shaped British sport across generations and disciplines.
