Londoners recognised with New Year Honours
Actor Idris Elba's getting a knighthood; Cynthia Erivo's getting an MBE and D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, 101, has been awarded a British Empire Medal - among many more
A number of Londoners have been recognised in this year's New Year Honours.
Leading the list is Luther star Idris Elba who's been knighted.
The 53-year-old actor from Hackney has been honoured for his services to young people.
Sir Idris has long been campaigning on the issue of youth violence, starting the initiative Don't Stop Your Future (DSYF), which works with community grassroots organisations in a bid to put an end to knife crime.
He also founded the Elba Hope Foundation with his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba, an international grant-making charity which aims to invest in projects which focus on "empowerment through education, economic opportunity, and entrepreneurship".
Sir Idris said: "I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation.
"I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence."
In 2024, he called for an immediate ban on machetes and so-called zombie knives, and met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to launch a new anti-knife crime coalition.
Wicked star receives MBE
Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo has said being made an MBE is an "honour" she never thought would happen.
The movie star and singer from Stockwell in south London has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to music and drama.
The 38-year-old told the Press Association: "To be given this recognition to celebrate the work that I love to do within the arts, specifically music and drama, is an honour I could never have thought would happen.
"I hope it shows that I care deeply about the work and will continue to do so to the best of my abilities."
The West End and Broadway star was born on January 8 1987 in Stockwell, London, and trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating with a bachelor's degree in acting in 2010.
D-Day veteran awarded British Empire Medal
A D-Day veteran from Cockfosters, north London, has been awarded a British Empire Medal.
Mervyn Kersh, 101, has said Britain today is "disappointing" and warned the country risks repeating mistakes made before the Second World War.
He adds that being honoured for his school talks on Holocaust remembrance and his wartime service is a "wonderful thing".
Mr Kersh likened the honour to being awarded the Legion d'honneur - France's highest military award - but said it was significant to be recognised by his own country.
He told the Press Association that efforts to speak about the Holocaust "not always work", telling of his concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK.
Mr Kersh said he believes his service during the Second World War "was worth it", but added: "It's disappointing what's turned out now."
He went on: "What's disappointing is the antisemitism that I see everywhere, hear everywhere, or read."
Mr Kersh arrived in Normandy aged 19, three days after the start of the D-Day invasion in June 1944, serving as a technical clerk for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, organising vehicle support.
He was later stationed near Bergen-Belsen when the camp was liberated by British troops in April 1945.
Teacher, author and broadcaster Bobby Seagull who grew up in Newham has been made an MBE in the King's New Year Honours list.
The 41-year-old, full name Jay Bobby Seagull, is best known for appearing on University Challenge and has been recognised for his services to public libraries.
In 2017, Seagull earned a cult following after clips of him on the BBC quiz show as the team captain of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, during their run to the show's semi-finals went viral online.
He gained public attention due to his infectious personality and enthusiasm, and used his popularity to inspire others with his passion for mathematics.
The academic has gone on to work as a maths teacher, written a book about the subject, worked with charities, and advocated for the importance of public libraries.
On his website, Seagull has recounted visiting East Ham Library every Saturday with his brothers growing up, and said they would "lie on the floor for hours reading books".
He is an ambassador for The Reading Agency, a UK charity which aims to get more people interested in reading.
Sporting achievers honoured
After their successful defence of their European Championship title, England football captain - and Arsenal Women defender - Leah Williamson becomes a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
While four team-mates who were part of the Lionesses' title-winning squad for a second time - Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone - are made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs).
And former Tottenham executive chairman Daniel Levy is being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)