28 December 2012 Last updated at 19:00 ET

Olympic heroes head New Year Honours

At a glance: Famous faces honoured
Name	Occupation	Honour	What they said
Photos: Press Association/BBC
Bradley Wiggins	Cyclist	Knighthood for services to cycling	"I never imagined that I would ever become a knight so it's an incredible honour but there's a slight element of disbelief."
Ben Ainslie	Finn Sailor	Knighthood for services to sailing	"This is an incredible honour. When I set out Olympic sailing 20 years ago, I never would have dreamt this would happen."
Sarah Storey	Cyclist	Dame for services to Para-cycling	"It's hard to put into words other than just it is the greatest honour."
Ellie Simmonds	Swimmer	OBE for services to Paralympic sport	""It's been a great honour to be included in the list which caps an amazing year for me personally and for British sport."
Jessica Ennis	Heptathlete	CBE for services to athletics
Katherine Grainger	Rower	CBE for services to rowing	"I fully appreciate this new accolade and I'd be thrilled if it helps with the efforts of everyone on Team GB to produce a meaningful legacy."
Mo Farah	Athlete	CBE for services to athletics
David Weir	Wheelchair athlete	CBE for services to athletics
Victoria Pendleton	Cyclist	CBE for services to cycling
Andy Murray	Tennis player	OBE for services to tennis
Lord Coe	Chairman Locog	Made Companion of Honour for services to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games	"A wonderful end to this unique Olympic and Paralympic Year".
Peter Higgs	Professor of theoretical physics	Made Companion of Honour for services to physics	The University of Edinburgh said: "It is a well deserved testament to the impact of his work and the influence he is already having on the next generation of physicists."
Mark Ramprakash	Former cricketer	MBE for services to sport	"I have been lucky to play for so long and achieve things throughout my career like the 100 first-class centuries. But this is an acknowledgment of your entire career."
Stella McCartney	Fashion designer	OBE for services to fashion
Nicola Benedetti	Violinist	MBE for services to music and charity	"This has come as a real surprise to me and I am humbled. I hope this honour can help me continue to draw attention to the importance of classical music and the arts in British society."
Kenneth Grange	Industrial designer	Knighthood for services to design	"Chuffed to bits ... It's at the top of the pile."
Adrian Lester	Actor	OBE for services to drama	Said he was "really surprised" but "honoured".
Kate Bush	Singer-songwriter	CBE for services to music	Said she was "deeply honoured".
Quentin Blake	Illustrator	Knighthood for services to illustration	"My books are published a lot in France and Germany and I get a lot of letters from people there who think I have got it already, so I suppose this kind of regularises it... I haven't quite got used to it yet, but I'm very pleased."
Cherie Blair		CBE for services to women's issues and charity	Spokesman said: "Cherie Blair is very honoured to receive this award."
Margaret Beckett		Dame for public and political service	"A recognition of all the work I've been able to be part of in politics, which is greatly appreciated."
Tracey Emin	Artist	CBE for services to the arts	"I'm absolutely thrilled. It's been insane trying to keep it a secret but I'm really looking forward to seeing the look on my mum's face. For me this honour is a symbol of how art can change people's perception of life and view the world in a different way."
Ewan McGregor	Actor	OBE for services to drama and charity	"I am delighted and touched to be on the New Year's Honours list."