• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • General Discussion Forums
  • General Discussion
New Year Honours 2017: Olympic heroes and entertainers recognised
<<
<
3 of 5
>>
>
Tiger Rag
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by InMyArms:
“Olympic "heroes"

They run around a track really fast, swim really fast or are rich enough to have been brought up with a dancing horse. The BBC and others don't even use the word "heroes" when discussing doctors and nurses, why is it reserved for Olympians?”

But it does take years of training to reach that. It's not something that will take 5 minutes to do properly.
Evo102
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by bluesdiamond:
“From New Zealand
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11774706

Dame Valarie Adams, the Shot Putter”

She'll still be Queen Val to me.
Moany Liza
31-12-2016
[quote=Malliday;85007599]

Jessica Ennis has been made a Dame in 2016... after being made a CBE in 2013... having been made an MBE in 2011. Why didn't they just wait until her career was over and honour her appropriately? And, like with Andy Murray and other sporting Knights and Dames, how do they appropriately honour her if she goes on to achieve great things in future?


[quote]

She announced her retirement earlier this year.

Sorry - messed up the quote when snipping.
lybertyne
31-12-2016
Ridiculous. Mo Farah seems a nice enough chap but a knighthood for running quickly? Yes he has to train but a lot of it is down to genetics. But that's neither here nor there. A knighthood. For running quickly. Anyone would think the honours are just handed out to whomever the government thinks is currently in vogue with the masses.
Tiger Rag
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by lybertyne:
“Ridiculous. Mo Farah seems a nice enough chap but a knighthood for running quickly? Yes he has to train but a lot of it is down to genetics. But that's neither here nor there. A knighthood. For running quickly. Anyone would think the honours are just handed out to whomever the government thinks is currently in vogue with the masses.”

Plus his charity work.
eggchen
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by lybertyne:
“Ridiculous. Mo Farah seems a nice enough chap but a knighthood for running quickly? Yes he has to train but a lot of it is down to genetics. But that's neither here nor there. A knighthood. For running quickly. Anyone would think the honours are just handed out to whomever the government thinks is currently in vogue with the masses.”

Honours have always been handed out as simple recognition of high achievement in whatever it is a person does, and that includes sport, the arts, entertainment etc. They aren't reserved solely for the "worthy" cases.

It's like saying "Pfft an Oscar just for acting in a movie?" but that is exactly what the award is for, a simple recognition.
Deep Purple
31-12-2016
Andy Murray certainly deserves the award for all he's achieved over the years, and the way he has reached the top this year.

I look forward to umpires announcing "Sir Andy is challenging the line call" next year.
lybertyne
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by Pumping Iron:
“It'd be a bit weird to have a Sir Jessica Ennis-hill.”

She has the muscular body of a man; why not the title to go with it.
Pumping Iron
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by lybertyne:
“She has the muscular body of a man; why not the title to go with it.”

Because she looks nothing like a man.
Inspiration
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by lybertyne:
“She has the muscular body of a man; why not the title to go with it.”

So if a woman happens to spend a lot of time in the gym as part of her sportswoman career and happens to have developed muscles and a low body to fat ratio they're a man? Interesting logic there. Can't a woman be strong and remain a woman?

http://i1.mirror.co.uk/incoming/arti...essica%20Ennis

Jessica has never looked like she has the "body of a man" imho. Yes she's got well defined muscles especially her abs etc.. but she still looks very much like a woman to me.
Deep Purple
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by lybertyne:
“She has the muscular body of a man; why not the title to go with it.”

Good grief.
Pumping Iron
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by Inspiration:
“So if a woman happens to spend a lot of time in the gym as part of her sportswoman career and happens to have developed muscles and a low body to fat ratio they're a man? Interesting logic there. Can't a woman be strong and remain a woman?

http://i1.mirror.co.uk/incoming/arti...essica%20Ennis

Jessica has never looked like she has the "body of a man" imho. Yes she's got well defined muscles especially her abs etc.. but she still looks very much like a woman to me.”

Insecurity I guess. She's probably got bigger biceps than he does!
Caxton
31-12-2016
Surprised Ed Balls did not get a knighthood for his services to dancing and supervising the demise of Norwich City Football Club since being appointed chairman
muggins14
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by lybertyne:
“She has the muscular body of a man; why not the title to go with it.”

I love the smell of sexism in the morning.
JohnnyForget
31-12-2016
I'm neither a fan of tennis nor Andy Murray, but I suppose a knighthood was inevitable.

However, as a massive fan of athletics, I would ask why only a knighthood for Mo Farah? He is now unquestionably the greatest British athlete of time, and his predecessor as the greatest British athlete of time, Sebastian Coe, was given a seat in the House of Lords. Why not the same privilege for Mo? Lord Farah of Hounslow, it has a definite ring to it.

As for Victoria Beckham, don't get me started.
Evo102
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by JohnnyForget:
“However, as a massive fan of athletics, I would ask why only a knighthood for Mo Farah? He is now unquestionably the greatest British athlete of time, and his predecessor as the greatest British athlete of time, Sebastian Coe, was given a seat in the House of Lords. Why not the same privilege for Mo? Lord Farah of Hounslow, it has a definite ring to it.”

But you are overlooking Coe's subsequent political career including being chief of staff to William Hague when he was leader of the opposition. His elevation to the Lords after serving as an MP was I suspect more down to politics than his sport achievements.
Inspiration
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by JohnnyForget:
“However, as a massive fan of athletics, I would ask why only a knighthood for Mo Farah? He is now unquestionably the greatest British athlete of time, and his predecessor as the greatest British athlete of time, Sebastian Coe, was given a seat in the House of Lords. Why not the same privilege for Mo? Lord Farah of Hounslow, it has a definite ring to it.”

Well Seb Coe was made a Lord 20 years after his running career peaked so these things take time. And I think Seb's was mostly due to his work off the track rather than his performances on it.
GusGus
31-12-2016
Thankfully, nothing for Cowell again despite his so called self publicised charity work
But then they would probably have difficulty fitting something over his head
This outdated honours system is long overdue for an overhaul and perhaps abolition
I mean, British Empire Medal! When did we last have an empire
JohnnyForget
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by Evo102:
“But you are overlooking Coe's subsequent political career including being chief of staff to William Hague when he was leader of the opposition. His elevation to the Lords after serving as an MP was I suspect more down to politics than his sport achievements.”

Originally Posted by Inspiration:
“Well Seb Coe was made a Lord 20 years after his running career peaked so these things take time. And I think Seb's was mostly due to his work off the track rather than his performances on it.”

Yes, I'm well aware of what you are both saying. My post was deliberately tongue in cheek, merely to emphasise that Mo Farah's sporting achievements mean much more to me than those of Andy Murray.

Away from sport, delighted that it's now Sir Ken Dodd and Sir Ray Davies.
*Sparkle*
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by InMyArms:
“Olympic "heroes"

They run around a track really fast, swim really fast or are rich enough to have been brought up with a dancing horse. The BBC and others don't even use the word "heroes" when discussing doctors and nurses, why is it reserved for Olympians?”

One of the original uses of the word 'hero' was to describe the demi-Gods of Greek mythology. They were not the foot soldiers in battle, and needn't be especially brave or compassionate. They were the ones who had extra special, "super-human" skills and strengths, well above average. They might be sent to represent a whole tribe to compete against rival tribes. They would be people who could swim or run fast, or throw something a long way with accuracy.

That's why.

Originally Posted by shackfan:
“BBC

You should be given an OBE for your services to ignorance. You obviously DON'T have to be famous at all to be knighted. It isn't part of the criteria and if you don't know who Mark Rylance is then you clearly aren't a film watcher. And how miserable you APPEAR to some shouldn't detract from the fact that you are one of the best sportsman Great Britain has ever produced. Ken was found not guilty. Jeeeeez.”

If there was a like function on here, I'd be using it for this post.

Originally Posted by elliecat:
“So Britain's joint most decorated Olympian gets an MBE and Ennis-Hill gets made a Dame. Obviously Jason Kenny needs to up his celebrity status because at this rate his wife will be a Dame before he gets Knighted. The whole honours system is a joke. (I'm not even going to talk about Beckham or Wintour).”

The Kennys have both been awarded CBEs, which I think is appropriate. I'd be totally surprised if they aren't getting Sir Jason and Dame Laura in four years time, but if for some reason they don't do well at the next Olympics, it will come at some point anyway.

Originally Posted by jeffiner1892:
“The sporting ones have always been very inconsistent. In 2005 they gave EVERY member of the Ashes team an honour but snubbed Steven Gerrard because "they could only give out a certain amount of honours for sport" but somehow managed to find enough honours in 2012 for EVERY gold medallist AND a few silver medallists.”


They made an announcement in 2012 not to limit the number of gongs for Olympians, as had apparently been the case in the past. Everyone who got a gold at the Olympics or Paralympics got a minimum MBE, which is fair enough, but I do agree that it's all a bit uneven, and it's much easier to rack up multiple golds in certain sports, and especially certain Paralympic sports. Jess Ennis deserves being a Dame more than

Originally Posted by Sinking feeling:
“No it doesn't, but it cheapens the awards given to those who actually did something worthwhile without becoming a millionaire in the process.”

The UK honours system is supposed to be about outstanding achievement, and the top awards are especially for those who are outstanding at an international level. The fact that sports like tennis are well remunerated only adds to the level of the competition. It's an award for brilliance, not a condescending pat on the head.

Originally Posted by eggchen:
“Honours have always been handed out as simple recognition of high achievement in whatever it is a person does, and that includes sport, the arts, entertainment etc. They aren't reserved solely for the "worthy" cases.

It's like saying "Pfft an Oscar just for acting in a movie?" but that is exactly what the award is for, a simple recognition.”

Exactly. There are multiple categories for honours, and one is for sport and another is for the arts, but there are other categories for science and engineering etc. It's just that this year there are extra athletes getting them, and the public like reading stories about them, so they get the headlines.

Originally Posted by Evo102:
“But you are overlooking Coe's subsequent political career including being chief of staff to William Hague when he was leader of the opposition. His elevation to the Lords after serving as an MP was I suspect more down to politics than his sport achievements.”

Coe became Lord Coe when he took up an actual position in government which was associated with a role in the House of Lords. It is essentially a job title when done properly, as it was in Coe's case. The same applies to Lord Sugar, who was made "Enterprise Champion" by the government of the day. They are political appointments, although generally not considered to be particularly party political - even if they do associate with a party. It's a process to give an individual working on government projects access to civil service support and so on. Some of them are naff, and you get the likes of Lord Loyd-Webber complaining because he's expected to work in exchange for the title, but the fact is they are expected to do something, not just use it for upgrades on flights.
planets
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by dosanjh1:
“I think lots of people don't know of him because the theater he does is a pretty niche interest in comparison say to tennis. I see plays a couple of times a year and I hadn't even heard of him until Wolf Hall.

Great actor though - really good use of eyebrows.”

Again, just because you only heard of him last year doesn't mean his career and work started last year. This year he was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. That's an American publication saying that. Not just because of his theatre, television and film work but also because of his work with various humanitarian projects.
wordfromthewise
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by Inspiration:
“Well Seb Coe was made a Lord 20 years after his running career peaked so these things take time. And I think Seb's was mostly due to his work off the track rather than his performances on it.”

Coe was made a Lord not as an honour but as a political appointment after he lost his seat as an MP......so he could remain active in politics ....peerages are like jobs now rather than honours which explains why Sugar,Mome and Brady etc are peers....eg they would never be deserving of such a high honour for what they have achieved in my opinion .

In terms of honours Coe was given a knighthood as an honour for his athletics and services to sport career a few years ago ...it was AFTER the peerage which is very unusual but also underlines that his peerage was a sop for his failure to hold his seat as an MP from William Hague.

(Sorry,I have just seen this very well explained in a post a few above my own)
shackfan
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by Sinking feeling:
“No it doesn't, but it cheapens the awards given to those who actually did something worthwhile without becoming a millionaire in the process.”

Bollox.
Ovalteenie
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by ShaunIOW:
“So volunteer for something for 50+ years that helps other people and get a BEM or MBE, or win a few medals/trophies for a handful of years doing soemthing you enjoy and makes lots of money for yourself and become a Knight or Dame - shows whats wrong with the honours system imo.”

Indeed it is so blatant that the honours system is class ridden - the peasants get the lowliest honours, while the rich and famous (some of whom don't even live here) get OBEs, CBEs, KBEs and DBEs.
lemoncurd
31-12-2016
Originally Posted by digitalspyfan1:
“Mark Rylance is knighted. Who is he? Never heard of him.”

I think he's that camp bloke with the massive teeth. Was on X-factor a few years ago.
<<
<
3 of 5
>>
>
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map