SINGER and songwriter Van Morrison has been given a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Morrison, 69, has been honoured for his services to music and tourism in Northern Ireland. His best-known song Brown-Eyed Girl propelled him to stardom in the 1960s.

Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne is continuing a career-defining year with an OBE alongside television regular Martin Clunes, while Twelve Years A Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and the creator of much-loved Paddington Bear Michael Bond were both awarded CBEs.

American actor and artistic director of the Old Vic theatre Kevin Spacey said he feels like “an adopted son” after being awarded an honorary knighthood for his services to British theatre and international culture.

Once again the names of some high-profile winners were leaked, with newspapers reporting comedian Lenny Henry’s knighthood and Sherlock Holmes actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s CBE days ahead of the official announcement.

Ebola nurse Will Pooley, 30, who was evacuated to London after contracting the deadly virus in Sierra Leone last year, only to return to his lifesaving work just months after recovering, was named an MBE for his services in tackling the outbreak in Africa.

Mother-of-one Katie Cutler, 22, who launched a fundraising campaign for disabled victim Alan Barnes after he was mugged outside his home, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM). Her appeal went viral and raised a staggering £300,000.