Michael Palin, Christopher Nolan, Thandie Newton and Margaret Atwood among culture figures named in 2019 New Year Honours

Michael Palin has joked that this is “the real thing” after it was revealed that the comedian and broadcaster will be appointed as Knight Bachelor.

“I have been a knight before with my Monty Python colleagues but I suppose this is the real thing,” said the 75-year-old, who is recognised for services to travel, culture and geography in the 2019 New Year’s Honours.

A number of high profile figures in the entertainment industry were named in the annual honours.​ Philip Pullman, the best-selling author of the His Dark Materials fantasy trilogy, will be knighted for his services to literature. The 72-year-old, who began a new trilogy called The Book of Dust with his 2017 novel La Belle Sauvage, said it was “a huge surprise and a great pleasure”.

​Choreographer Richard Alston, former artistic director of Ballet Rambert, who now runs the Richard Alston Dance Company, is to become Sir Richard after receiving a knighthood for his services to dance.

48-year-old Christopher Nolan, the director behind film such as ​Dunkirk, Inception and the Dark Knight trilogy, received a CBE for services to film

Actor, model and singer Lesley Lawson – aka Twiggy – is to become a dame, while conservationist and broadcaster Chris Packham has been appointed a CBE.

Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, has been made a dame for her services to journalism. Christopher Bailey (no relation), Burberry’s outgoing chief creative officer, was made a CBE.

Volinist Nicola Benedetti and composer Nitin Sawhney have both been appointed CBEs for their services to the artform. Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason was also appointed a CBE for his services to music, while Mike Peters – lead singer of The Alarm – has been made an MBE, for his work for cancer charities in his native north Wales and abroad.

Guitarist Gordon Giltrap and singer turned voice coach David Grant are both appointed MBEs. Composer Shirley Thompson is made an OBE, while Claire Turnham, founder of the Victims of Viagogo ticketing campaign group, has become an MBE.

Julia Donaldson, whose characters in The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stick Man have made her one of Britain’s best-loved authors, has been made a CBE for her services to literature.

Chris Riddell’s distinctive illustrations, which have appeared in a number of works by author Neil Gaiman as well as in his own Ottoline and Goth Girl books, has been made an OBE.

Sophie Okonedo begins the New Year with a CBE for services to drama, following critical acclaim for her performance in Antony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre. She won the best actress award for the same role in November this year, at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards

Actor Thandie Newton has received an OBE for her services to film and charity. Jim Carter, who received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Mr Carson, the butler in Downton Abbey, has been appointed OBE for services to drama.

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British artists Tacita Dean and Gillian Wearing have both been appointed CBEs for their services to art. Yinka Shonibare has been made a CBE, while Sonia Boyce is appointed an OBE.

Canadian author Margaret Atwood is to become a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, which is a special award that is only held by 65 people at any one time.