SCIENTISTS, songwriters and breakthrough sports stars were honoured in 2022’s New Year Honours list.

The medical chiefs leading the UK's battle against coronavirus have been recognised in the New Year Honours list after a year that saw a relentless rollout of the vaccination programme.

England's chief medical officer (CMO), Professor Chris Whitty and deputy CMO, Jonathan Van-Tam, have been given knighthoods.

There are also damehoods for UK Health Security Agency chief Dr Jenny Harries, and Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), after a year in which the threat of new variants arose and more than 130 million vaccinations were administered.

The Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, who was originally knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours list, is elevated to a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

James Bond star Daniel Craig has been made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, the same honour given to 007.

Songwriter Bernie Taupin, best known for his long-running and fruitful collaboration with Sir Elton John, has been made an OBE in the New Year Honours.

Dancer and choreographer Ashley Banjo said he is "humbled and extremely proud" to have been made an MBE following a year in which he became a spokesman for issues around racial equality.

Kate Garraway has been made an MBE after documenting her husband Derek Draper's battle with coronavirus.

Actress June Brown, best known as chain-smoking Albert Square stalwart Dot Cotton in EastEnders, has been made an OBE.

Melanie Brown (Mel B) of the Spice Girls has been made an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women's Aid.

Emma Raducanu said she was "immensely proud and grateful" after her incredible breakthrough year ended with another accolade as she was made an MBE.

Adam Peaty capped another incredible year in the pool with an OBE for services to swimming.

And this year’s honours saw its youngest on record receive awards, with two charity fundraisers receiving the British Empire Medal at the ages of just 11 and 12.