The Queen ensures hospital porter shares limelight with screen stars

More Birthday Honours

Oscar-winning Welsh movie star Catherine Zeta Jones said she was "absolutely thrilled" to receive a CBE, heading a list of celebrities which includes Coronation Street actors Eileen Derbyshire, Barbara Knox and Anne Reid as well as ex-Formula One driver David Coulthard and former Leeds United footballer Gary Speed.

Less celebrated members of the public are also being recognised for their long devotion to the local community. Harrogate District Hospital porter Jim Witham receives an MBE for services to the NHS after 20 years of "simply doing the job I love".

And as Fabio Capello's footballers prepare for their opening World Cup match against the USA tonight, 90-year-old Bert Williams, goalkeeper in England's shock 1-0 defeat by the Americans in 1950, is also honoured. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers player said his MBE was the "icing on the cake" of a wonderful life.

Particularly poignant is the award of an OBE to former England rugby international Andy Ripley, a remarkable sportsman and businessman now gravely ill battling cancer.

Because of his condition Mr Ripley, who earned 24 caps for his country, was presented with the honour last month. He was a true all-round athlete in his day – a BBC World Superstars champion, nationally ranked 400 metre hurdler, world indoor rowing champion and a master yachtsman.

Huddersfield-born poet Simon Armitage receives a CBE for his services to literature, while pop star-turned-physicist and BBC presenter Prof Brian Cox said he was "surprised and chuffed" to receive an OBE. Other OBEs go to Tamara Mellon, founder and creative director of designer shoe brand Jimmy Choo, and writer and broadcaster Bonnie Greer, who put BNP leader Nick Griffin on the spot during his controversial BBC Question Time appearance last October.

Bradford headteacher Naila Zaffar is made a Dame for her work raising standards of schools across the city.