VETERAN actress Barbara Windsor has said she is “so very honoured, proud and extremely humbled” to be awarded a damehood in the New Year’s Honours.

Windsor is one of a host of stars of stage and screen to be recognised in the list, including fellow east Londoner turned Hollywood star Idris Elba, who said receiving an OBE made him “beyond proud”.

Celebrated thespian Sian Phillips is also made a dame, while Imelda Staunton receives a CBE, and actors David Oyelowo and James Nesbitt get OBEs.

Sporting stars are also well represented, with a knighthood for champion jockey Tony McCoy, former motorsports star John Surtees and footballers Denis Law and Francis Lee receiving CBEs and two-times Tour de France winner cyclist Chris Froome and snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan handed OBEs.

Windsor, who first appeared on stage at the tender age of 13 before rising to fame in the Carry On films, is recognised for services to charity and entertainment.

She said: “For a girl from the East End born into a working class family and an evacuee during World War Two, this is truly like a dream. I am so happy and blessed to say it’s real.”

After achieving fame in cult crime drama The Wire, Elba has gone on to star in blockbusters such as Prometheus and took the lead as Nelson Mandela in the biographical film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Nesbitt, who is recognised for services to acting and to Northern Ireland following years of work helping families affected by the Troubles, said: “I’ve been very blessed with my work and very blessed to come from Northern Ireland and for those two things to be on the citation was really rather gratifying.”

Sports commentator Sue Barker receives an OBE, while sports broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, who became the first female commentator on Match Of The Day, is awarded an MBE.

Celebrated choreographer Matthew Bourne gets a knighthood, along with former TV journalist Martyn Lewis, who is recognised for his charity work.

The music industry is represented by Damon Albarn, who since shooting to fame with Blur in the early 90s, has enjoyed success with several other acts and receives an OBE, while an MBE has been awarded to Clifford Price, more commonly known as Goldie, for his contribution to the music, TV and film industry and his work with a number of charities.

Several leading business figures are awarded for their efforts in boosting the UK economy, including damehoods for easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall and the founder of high fashion website Net-A-Porter Natalie Massenet, while Ann Summers chief executive Jacqueline Gold receives the CBE.