New Year Honours List 2026: Cynthia Erivo, Ellie Goulding, Max Richter and more

This year’s honour list includes 1,157 recipients and span a wide range of fields including the arts, community work, science, charity and so much more. 

So what musicians/ chart entrants can be found on this year’s list? 

Cynthia Erivo – Singer-songwriter and actor Cynthia Erivo will be given an MBE thanks to her services to entertainment. Her incredible 2025 was capped off by three of her tracks from the film Wicked: For Good making the Top 40. 

Ellie Goulding – Goulding will also receive and MBE for her work as an environmental ambassador. Goulding’s career as a musician has seen her bag four UK Number 1 singles and albums. 

Max Richter – The admired composer will receive a CBE in honour of his outstanding contribution to British Culture, advocacy and the wider community. This comes just weeks prior to the release of his original score for the film Hamnet. Richter earned a Top 40 album in 2020 for Voices, which peaked at Number 26. 

Speaking on the honour, Richter said: 

“I’ve been lucky enough to have spent most of the last few decades’ writing, performing, recording and thinking about music. I have written concert works, records, dozens of film and TV scores, ballets, and opera. For me, the opportunity to spend my life doing what I dreamed of doing when I was a child continues to be an immense privilege, and one I never take for granted.”

Idris Elba – Knighted for his services to young people through his anti-knife crime work and founder of the Elba Hope Foundation, despite being well known for his acting career, he has released a host of singles, EP’s and albums, with his most successful on the charts being his 2015 release, Murdah Loves John. 

Eve Graham – Scottish singer Eve Graham will receive an MBE for her services to the music industry. Part of the group The New Seekers, the British pop band had two Number 1 singles including I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony). 

Matt Lucas – Comedian and actor Matt Lucas has received an OBE but actually charted in the UK with his track Thank You Baked Potato, which hit Number 34. 

Bill Bailey – For his extensive commitments to entertainment, actor and comedian Bill Bailey will receive an MBE. But once again, he has dipped his toe into the musical world, releasing one album in 2011, Bill Bailey in Metal. 

Commenting on the list as a whole, Sir Keir Starmer stated:

“This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives. Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you – and congratulations to everyone recognised today.”