Referee Wayne Barnes Recognised in King’s Birthday Honours List

Record-breaking referee Wayne Barnes has been awarded an OBE for his services to rugby union in the King’s Birthday Honours.

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Elsewhere, Alan Bates, the former sub-postmaster who successfully campaigned to expose the Post Office Horizon scandal, has been knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours.

He joins three new dames—actress Imelda Staunton, designer Anya Hindmarch, and artist Tracey Emin—at the top of a list that celebrates British achievers in various fields, as well as hundreds of individuals from everyday walks of life.

Sporting honours in this year’s list include a knighthood for cycling star Mark Cavendish, along with honours for former international footballers Graeme Souness, Ally McCoist, and Karen Carney.

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In the entertainment world, there is a Strictly Come Dancing double as professional dancer Amy Dowden and former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, winner of the 2021 series, are both named MBEs. Honours also go to author Monica Ali and singer Rebecca Ferguson.

Additionally, after more than 30 years in Countdown’s dictionary corner, lexicographer Susie Dent receives an MBE.

“Scrum-halves are always the worst” – Wayne Barnes names the FIVE hardest players to referee

Legendary rugby referee Wayne Barnes has ranked some of the trickier players he had to run the rule over down the years.

#5. Joe Marler (England)

BARNES SAID: ” “He was always a funny one on the field in nice way. You’d be trying to tell him something serious and he’d just want to have a laugh and a joke.

“But he does bring a smile to your face. That is what is unique about our sport, the interaction between players and refs and refs and coaches. It does show our sport off in a good light.”

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