BBC News Updated every minute of every day

Added: Monday, 15 June, 2009, 07:23 GMT 08:23 UK

The system has became completely devalued (if it ever had any value) when even footballers and pop stars receive knighthoods. The idea of 'Sir' Alex Ferguson, 'Sir' Elton John, even 'Sir' Tim Rice for goodness sake, is completely ludicrous. The system is really only there to try and help prop up a dying and increasingly irrelevant monarchy. By all means honour people who do selfless and important work without receiving obscene rewards but it should come from sources more credible than royalty.

dougie mitchell, edinburgh

Added: Monday, 15 June, 2009, 07:19 GMT 08:19 UK

What is best?

1. Having everything on a plate, being spoon-fed, been to public school and done well at Oxford/Cambridge – but only capable of progressing when they get special privileges and salaries

2. Doing well in the University of Life from a disadvantaged background with survival skills, being as independent as possible, coping when times are difficult, etc. and helping others without the need for special privileges

The honours are nothing more than privileges for the privileged.

Jaw Tracks MP, Blackburn, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 15 June, 2009, 04:16 GMT 05:16 UK

I feel very honoured because I'm not on the list. It means that I've spent my time doing the job I'm paid for instead of spending my time trying to get recognised.

I'm very happy where I am in life and the only pieces of paper which helped me get there are my indentures and my degree - and I earned both by hard work.

Leave the honours system to massage the egos of actors and sports people with delicate constitutions and inferiority complexes - for the healthier among us we don't need them.

[jackmaxsam]

Added: Monday, 15 June, 2009, 02:09 GMT 03:09 UK

'I have no problem with "ordinary people" or people like Sir Alan Sugar who have provided jobs etc but not for well paid sportsmen and women or actors/actresses. What "benefits" do they get from it anyway?'
[bluegal1970], Wigan, United Kingdom
Recommended by 48 people

Seriously, how can anyone object to Christopher Lee?

Phosgene Gasse

Added: Monday, 15 June, 2009, 24:49 GMT 01:49 UK

I am an "ordinary" person and was awarded the MBE in 1994....and I AM PROUD OF IT!

[NaggingNan], Southampton, United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 22:57 GMT 23:57 UK

"72% of the 984 were ordinary people who have made a "real difference" to life in their communities"

So, 28% were for people who made litle or no difference?

get rid of this sychophantic dross

[tmfyorks], glos, United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 22:52 GMT 23:52 UK

"I am honoured to count amongst my friends the following:
A police officer, who has saved at least 5 lives this week alone... A Church leader who has spent untold hours encouraging, feeding + clothing the homeless
Seven charity workers, who, between them, give 150 hours a week towards helping the vulnerable - all unpaid
Not one of them will appear on that list
... They don't do it to appear on lists
Still, it would be nice to honour them" [RetroKnight], Hastings

Then nominate them!

[Artemesia], United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 22:25 GMT 23:25 UK

There are very few of the radical hard left who get honours (not that they'd accept them anyway)! In fact are there any at all?

Whatever their merits, the only people to win these awards are openly right wing, innocuously moderate or just neutral! In other words only those whose achievements have not threatened the political status quo.

Nick Vinehill, Snettisham, United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 22:25 GMT 23:25 UK

NO!

Phil Neville for his fund raising for Manchester Childrens Hospital should have got one as well as Bruce Forsythe for the years hes been in show buisness...

Su, Manchester

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 21:49 GMT 22:49 UK

This whole issue has now become a farce. Who on earth does the selection, they are the laughing stock of the general sensible public who are now beginning to realise that common sense has blown straight out of the window. We have a knighthood for jumping on a cycle for so many minutes and winning a medal and his mother has been a nurse all of her life. It is her that should be getting honoured.

midnighteyebrows edinburgh

J Y, edinburgh

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 21:42 GMT 22:42 UK

I think Christopher Lee's honour is long overdue, a great British actor if there ever was one. God bless you Sir.

Mark, Leigh, Lancs

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 21:29 GMT 22:29 UK

They should be 'recognition by degree' lists not an antiquated insult to those who really earn it and are never recognised by the Establishment as a very suitable canditate for public recognition.

Robert Sinclair Shand, Wick

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 20:50 GMT 21:50 UK

The honours list should be condemned to the dustbin of history; it is a joke and a farce.

Half the people on it seem to be celebs or sportsmen with whom the politicians want to have their photos taken.

Get rid of it, and pronto, Tonto.

Nick, Wakefield

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 20:47 GMT 21:47 UK

I am in support of ordinary people being recognised for doing something extraordiary, but I disagree with "celebrities" and other famous sorts being given a pat on the back for services to entertainment/fashion etc? No thanks. An old fashioned tradition that needs to be packed away like last season's clothes. Surely theres a better way for the government to spend money on this?

Fluffy, Edinburgh

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 20:40 GMT 21:40 UK

It's ridiculous and has becoming a meaningless ceremony, dumbed down like everything else nowadays.

Jo, Leicester