Arise at last, Sir David: Beckham humbled by knighthood

Former England football captain David Beckham “never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour” after being knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Beckham, who was made an OBE in 2003, receives a knighthood alongside actor Gary Oldman and The Who singer Roger Daltrey.

Strictly Come Dancing presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), while there also honours for teenage darts star Luke Littler and his rival Luke Humphries as both are made MBEs.

Actor and singer Elaine Paige and novelist Pat Barker have been given damehoods.

Beckham, who has been in the running for a knighthood for more than a decade, said in a statement: “Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour.

“To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career, and literally a boyhood dream come true.”

He had been on the verge of receiving a knighthood in the 2014 New Year’s Honours list but HM Revenue and Customs placed a red flag on his nomination due to his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme, according to previous reports.

In 2021 it was reported that his finances had been cleared and he was eligible for a knighthood.

The day before Beckham was given the honour, he was seen chatting with the King at a St James’s Palace ceremony for the monarch’s foundation, of which the retired footballer is an ambassador.

Beckham, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, is a knight for his services to sport and to charity, having partnered with UNICEF and campaigned with Malaria No More, a charity working to eradicate the disease.

Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in 1964, has been recognised for services to charity and music, having been a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000.

“It’s strange, it’s an experience that I’ve never had before, I’m very humbled by it,” the 81-year-old told PA.

Daly, 56, who has co-presented Strictly since 2004, and Winkleman, 53, who fronts the hit reality TV show The Traitors, have been honoured for their services to broadcasting.

Paige, 77, was also honoured for her services to charity and music, and told PA of her “shock” at being made a dame.

“I’ve got all these different emotions coming at me all at once. I’m proud and I feel grateful and I’m thrilled and surprised, and so it’s been quite a lot to take in,” the West End legend said.

Paige has presented her BBC Radio 2 show for more than 20 years and has senior roles at two charities - The Children’s Trust, a charity for youngsters with acquired brain injury and The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, which supports disabled tennis players.

Oldman, 67, who played Harry Potter’s godfather Sirius Black in several of the movies in the fantasy franchise, was recognised for his services to drama.

The Hollywood star won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the 2017 film Darkest Hour.

The top gong goes to Antony Gormley, the sculptor behind the Angel of the North, who is made Companion of Honour for services to art.

There are only 65 Companions of Honour at any one time.

More than 1200 people from across the UK received honours in the latest list.