Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead has been named on the Queen’s Birthday
Honours list, alongside cricketer Moeen Ali and ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand
Muirhead won curling gold at the Beijing Winter Olympics and has been made an
OBE, while the rest of her team become MBEs.
Moeen and Ferdinand are both made an OBE, while Wales footballer Gareth Bale
becomes an MBE.
Broadcaster Clare Balding and Tracey Crouch MP are both made CBEs.
The latest round of honours are to mark the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday celebrations to
mark 70 years of service.
Former sports minister Crouch chaired a fan-led review of football following a
number of high-profile crises in the sport, such as the failed European Super League
and the collapse of Bury FC. Its primary recommendation to create a new
independent regulator for English football has been endorsed by the government.
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Balding is recognised for her ability in front of the camera and her charity work. She
holds ambassadorial positions with many organisations, including StreetVet and the
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.
Simpson brothers Neil and Andrew are also included on the list of MBEs after both
winning gold at the Paralympic Games.
Younger brother Neil, 19, was guided by brother Andrew, 21, to become GB’s third-
ever Winter Games gold medallist and the first male to achieve the feat after
successes for Kelly Gallagher in 2014 and Menna Fitzpatrick in 2018.
Muirhead’s rink defeated Japan to win Team GB’s only gold medal in Beijing. Team-
mates Vicky Wright, Jen Dodds, Hailey Duff and Mili Smith become MBEs, along with
coach David Murdoch.
Scot Muirhead, 32, who has appeared at four Olympics, added to the bronze she won
in Sochi in 2014.
England and Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen, 34, announced his retirement from
Test cricket in September 2021 but has continued to play for the limited-overs side
and was part of the Twenty20 team to reach the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup.
He scored 2,914 runs and took 195 wickets in 64 Test matches, having made his debut
against Sri Lanka in 2014.
Television pundit and former Manchester United, Leeds, West Ham and England
defender Ferdinand is honoured for services to football and charity. He set up the Rio
Ferdinand Foundation this year, which works with young people and aids community
development.
Snooker players Judd Trump and Mark Selby win recognition too. Former world
champion Selby has become an advocate for mental health awareness after admitting
his mental health struggles in January. Trump reached the final of this year’s World
Championship, losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Wigan Warriors and England rugby league legend Sean O’Loughlin is also included.
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