Idris Elba and David Oyelowo honored by Queen Elizabeth

But this is beyond special as it comes from Queen and country, and I couldn’t be more proud for receiving this right now”, Idris said of the titles in a statement, before adding, ” What a year.

The two stars will each receive an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for their contribution to British drama as part of the Queens New Year’s Honours List 2016.

Elba, best known for his role in HBO’s The Wire and BBC1’s Luther, will be awarded an OBE for services to drama; while Barbara Windsor, famous for her roles in the Carry On films and for playing Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, will become a Dame. On me head son!’

Martyn Lewis, the veteran broadcaster, receives a knighthood for services to charity.

Morgan initially cursed as he opened the brown envelope containing his CBE medal announcement, because he thought it was a traffic fine.

Singer-songwriter Albarn, 47, who was at the forefront of the 1990s Britpop movement with Blur, was also made an OBE. Albarn reunited the Britpop group in 2009, they released “Magic Whip” their first studio in 12 years in April.

In all 1,196 people received awards. Several Britons are honoured over the Ebola outbreak including a CBE for Dr Timothy Brooks, who ran a laboratory in Sierra Leone.

Also receiving an OBE for services to drama was SELMA star David Oyelowo, who began his career through a grant from Prince Charles’ charity for the arts.