Women including Strictly judge Arlene Phillips and artist Tracey Emin lead the showbusiness honours list
- New Year's Honours list includes controversial artist and ex-Strictly judge
By EMILY ANDREWS and ROBERT DEX
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CBE: Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has been named in the New Year Honours list
Girls are leading the way when it comes to showbiz honours, with Arlene Phillips, Tracey Emin and Kate Bush among those being recognised.
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Miss Phillips will receive a CBE. She said: ‘I am very pleasantly surprised but mostly absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive such a wonderful honour.’
The choreographer, who grew up in Manchester, first found fame when she brought together a group of her students from Covent Garden's Pineapple Dance Studio into the dance group Hot Gossip in the 1970s.
She said: 'I am very pleasantly surprised but mostly absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive such a wonderful honour.'
Hot Gossip became primetime television favourites featuring alongside big names including Kenny Everett and Benny Hill and had a hit single in 1978 with I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper featuring Sarah Brightman on lead vocals.
Phillips' choreography caught the eye of Hollywood and she worked on films including Annie, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life and Legend.
Her touch was also seen in music videos where she worked with acts including AC/DC, the Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Robbie Williams.
Phillips, who was previously awarded the OBE, has worked behind the scenes on concerts, musicals and television commercials and also had a hand in the staging of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.
Her profile became even higher when she stepped back in front of the camera as a judge on the BBC's top rating ballroom show Strictly Come Dancing in 2004.
She was replaced by former Strictly winner Alesha Dixon five years later - a move that saw questions asked in the House of Commons and the BBC attacked for what its critics branded discrimination against older women.
Also receiving a CBE is artist Miss Emin, who made her name with controversial pieces such as a tent decorated with the names of all of her lovers.
Controversial artist: Tracey Emin, set to receive a CBE, stands among some of her neon artwork at an exhibition in London last year
The 49-year-old first courted notoriety in 1997 when she appeared on a live TV discussion about the Turner Prize drunk and swearing.
The same year she exhibited ‘Everyone I have Ever Slept With 1963-1995’ a tent appliquéd with names at Charles Saatchi’s Sensation exhibition and then was nominated for the Turner Prize in 1999 with her My Bed installation.
Honoured: Tracey Emin will be awarded a CBE
It divided critics, but made her one of the most famous, and well-paid, living artists in the UK.
Since then she has become a member of the Royal Academy, held major exhibitions and become a panellist and speaker. She also mentored youngsters who produced artwork that adorned 12 British Airways aircraft in the runup to the Olympics.
Asked about her CBE, she said: ‘I think they pushed me in at the deep end. But I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s been insane trying to keep it a secret but I’m really looking forward to seeing the look on my mum’s face.
‘For me this honour is a symbol of how art can change people’s perception of life and view the world in a different way.
‘Art is a great enabler as it has helped me to achieve many things throughout my life and through my daily life to help many other people.
‘I am pleased and happy to have recognition for this. But always in life recognition is not why we do things. We do things because of vocation, because we have to do them.’
Kate Bush was also awarded a Commander of the Order of British Empire for service to music.
The 54-year-old, whose first hit Wuthering Heights topped the charts and instantly made her a star, was as famous for her videos and her often wild-eyed mime dancing as her distinctive voice.
She said: ‘I feel deeply honoured to be included in this list. It’s a great surprise and I’m really delighted. Thanks to everyone who’s encouraged and supported my work over the years.’
For music: Wuthering Heights singer Miss Bush will be awarded an OBE for her service to music
Bush’s precocious musical talent was spotted while she was still at school. After coming to the attention of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, she landed a deal with EMI at the age of just 16 although she was 19 by the time she released her first album The Kick Inside in 1978.
Her debut single Wuthering Heights - released at her insistence - sparked a furious period of activity and she quickly recorded a follow-up album, Lionheart, which was out before the end of the year.
Stella-r year: Stella McCartney who was awarded an OBE also became Designer of the Year 2012
She staged her one and only tour in 1979, but in the last year she released an album of reworked songs and an album of new tracks.
Stella McCartney was also honoured with an OBE.
The designer, the daughter of Sir Paul McCartney and his first wife Linda, graduated from Central Saint Martins College in 1995.
Her final show as a student saw her designs modelled by famous friends including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell to a soundtrack which included a new song written in her honour by her father.
Two years later, she was appointed creative director of French fashion house Chloe - a move widely derided at the time, but she proved a runaway success and soon left to launch her own label.
Since then, she has built up her business and now runs more than 20 stores around the world selling her designs to some 100 countries and has teamed up with brands including Adidas and H&M.
Earlier this year, she was named Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards - in part for her work designing the kit worn by Team GB and the nation’s Paralympians.
Among other well-known names, actor Adrian Lester received a CBE, Ewan McGregor an OBE and cricketer Mark Ramprakash a MBE.
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