Knighthoods, and some other honours being devalued

It's gone the way of heroes,Two a penny. An insult to real heroes,in my opinion.

So honours should be given to the aged only?

Knighthoods in some cases seem to have replaced Eamonn Andrews' big red book.

I posted on this some 2/3 years ago and have not changed my mind. It is obsolete and meaningless in this age.

I think the honours are devalued as well but not quite for the same reason. I don't have a problem with sportspeople if they have represented their country and had to give up a lot to train etc. I do have a problem with celebrities being awarded honours, the likes of Victoria B for example and all the luvvies. There are so many unsung heroes amongst the population who give their time etc to various charities or help vulnerable people in the community, they should be recognised.
I don't like honours awarded to MPS as a reward either, they are well paid for their job.

I think Mark Rylance is a fine actor but a knighthood for Services to Theatre? What exactly does that mean?

If people do a good job they get paid. Some get paid very well indeed so why do they need honours?

Allegedly Victoria B opened her big mouth to advertise that she was getting an honour. It also breaks the unspoken etiquette of keeping her mouth shut until it is made public on the news or whatever. Why? Because she is married to a famous footballer - she did not make it as a singer or in whatever job she is doing now.

There are many unsung heroes in everyday life who give up their unpaid time to help others. It is a pity that they get little or no recognition.

Many of those who are 'honoured' have made millions doing whatever they do, albeit in some cases, enjoyable for the public.

Ray Davis ( I have always liked his music), by his own admission is hardly a role model! And Victoria Beckham ???

Ridiculous to make Andy Murray a knight. Far too soon. And Mo Farrah.

Can't believe the Victoria Beckham thing!

Many who help others are in the honours, the press doesn't mention them .

I dislike the British class system still at work in the list

In my opinion, Mo Farrah's knighthood is four years too late as is Jess Eniss's damehood. Their performances in the London Olympics set the seal on a triumphant summer for Great Britain. And did Greg Rutherford get a mention? He shared the glory of 'super Saturday' and is, I think, still a world champion long jumper, though he didn't retain his Olympic gold - neither did Jess!

I agree it's far too soon to be giving knighthoods to Mo Farah & Andy Murray.

They're both very successful and achieved personal individual ambitions and no doubt made lots of money for themselves - awards should be made after they retire and have spent say five years devoted to charity work or training youngsters.

I agree , annodomini,

I am for honours to the likes of Murry and Farrah whilst at the top, Hennis Hills now seem like a compensation award .

If Murry does as many other tennis players have done he should be given an honour whrn he reaches the second round in his matches then out? . Or becomes a trainer and gets an honour when he is fifty ?

The first to climb Everest were awarded knighthoods so why not for the first brit to be world number one in sport

I agree with the article in today's Telegraph Sir Mo Farah is a fitting title for Britain's greatest athlete.

Victoria Beckham though? She appears to always have an eye to self promotion, the antithesis of the quiet philanthropy of George Michael that we are now reading about, for all his demons, he sounded like a genuinely kind person.

This is too funny. Corbyn is speaking out against the awards , he who put Shami in the Lords for a few weeks work this year

I agree with Anniebach and annodomini that these Olympians needed to be rewarded for their efforts, not only in Rio, but more importantly for their legacy after the 21012 London Olympics. It does show that they weren't just a flash in the pan and worked hard to maintain their success over more than a decade, (unlike that swimmer Rebecca Adlington who let herself go to pot after a one off performance).

Victoria Beckham is a strange choice, although as a family they do donate large amounts to children's charities.
I was surprised to hear that Teresa May dresses herself in the VICTORIABECKHAM label and so do several members of the royal family. Alexander McQueen VB certainly isn't, but she has found her niche.

I was disappointed Andy Murray accepted an "honour" though I have heard he declined after his first Wimbledon win,its his choice of course and I hope his fans will see it for what it is.He'd be damned if he did and damned if he didn't in sommebody's eyes.Like many I think this outdated system needs to end.Its there simply to keep the division of the class system alive .The monarchy and all this nonsense must end when Lizzie dies ,sure people can be acknowlegded for their hard work but why do they need letters after their name ,a medal or a wee plaque at Wimbledon or renaming the centre court Murray court would be far more suitable in my eyes.After all he IS the most successful tennis player to come out of these isles

Even Andy Murray himself has said that he's too young for a knighthood.

I feel the sportspeople mentioned here deserved the recognition. They have worked hard and been a great inspiration to others. The article I read from the BBC website said there were over a thousand other honours given to non-celebrities which I think is as it should be. In that article there were two young actresses who seemed to have little claim to the honour when reading their list of achievements.

Anniebach depends on your definition of aged. Even sportsmen with long careers and great success have usually retired by the time they are 40.

But in principle, I think yes. Honours should go to those who have given extended service or excelled at something for at least a decade and preferably two and that does mean that recipients will be older, what is wrong with that?

I just think honours are devalued when they are the automatic cherry on the cake you get when you win a Gold Medal in the Olympics, or win Wimbledon, or Strictly, or the X Factor.

Has some from Strictly received an honour?

Murry has been playing tennis for twenty years

I agree M0nica with most of what you say.

I don't think riding a bicycle or hitting a tennis ball warrants being knighted!
What about the 90 year old who has worked tirelessly for mental health charities for more than 6 decades, a BEM, the lowest honour there is in the same sentence as someone who is knighted for riding a bike or running fast.

It's a joke.

It's a ridiculous system that needs to be discontinued. Awards should be for those who go beyond the call of duty not for because someone simply did their job.