OLYMPIC GYMNAST RHYS McClenaghan and actor Idris Elba were among the 1,157 people to appear in the UK New Year honours list.

McClenaghan, from Co Down, was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to gymnastics. 

MBE is the lowest of the five ranks of the Order of the British Empire, which are traditional titles given by monarchs since the Middle Ages.

The 26-year-old made history at the Paris Olympics by winning Ireland’s first gold in gymnastics, in the pommel horse category.

As well as being a decorated gymnast, McClenaghan won the eighth season of Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars this year.

Others from Northern Ireland were also honoured, including Antrim’s Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University. He was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to higher education and public service.

Idris Elba, 53, known for his roles in The Wire and Luther, was knighted for services to young people, having founded the Elba Hope Foundation, which supports community empowerment, education, youth advocacy and sustainable development.

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo was made an MBE for services to music and drama, while writer Roy Clarke, creator of sitcoms Last Of The Summer Wine, Open All Hours and Keeping Up Appearances, became a knight.

The youngest person on the latest honours list was 20, while the oldest was 102-year-old John Hearn, one of four centenarians included, who received an MBE for services to Judo and to the community in north-east England.

Now that the honours have been announced, recipients will be invited to a formal ceremony called the investiture where they will receive their Insignia in person from either the King or another member of the royal family.

The most senior honours are Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander. The order’s ranks, after knighthood or damehood, are Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE).

In recent times, the British honours system has recognised people who have “made achievements in public life” and “committed themselves to serving and helping Britain”.

They are announced twice a year – ahead of the New Year and in June on the King’s “official birthday”.

With additional reporting from PA