While many individuals were already public knowledge, we're made up to hear that SIR Kevin Sinfield has now finally received his long-overdue knighthood, and he's not the only familiar face to have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list for 2026.
There are numerous worthy names on the list, but it goes without saying that the 'Sir Kev' campaign is one that many have been flying the flag for rather high over the past few years.
Sinfield, 45, is not only a rugby league and England legend, but he has warmed hearts across the country and beyond through his superhuman '7 in 7' ultramarathon efforts on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in recent times, all in memory of his old teammate, local hero and best friend, Rob Burrow.
In fact, our mates at The Manc and we here at The Hoot are among countless others who've been calling for this for some time.
Following his 2014 MBE, OBE in 2021, and CBE in '23, we struggle to think of anyone more deserving of the accolade than Leeds Rhinos legend, to be honest.
Announcing his seventh and final '7 in 7 challenge' earlier this month, he's now managed to generate more than £11 million in vital funding for the cause.
Set to channel that same sentiment that Burrow and fellow late, great rugby legend, Doddie Weir, tried to reiterate so often once again - "MND isn't incurable, it's just underfunded" - the scenes are no doubt going to be more emotional than ever.
Hero, legend, inspiration - these words don't even begin to cut it.
The Greater Manchester native was one of the first confirmed new knighthoods made known to the public; here he is talking about the great privilege with the BBC:
There are also several Lionesses named, too, such as Euros winners and WSL stars Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton and Lauren James, who join the quintet of other national team players given MBEs as part of King Charles III's New Year's Honours List, with the prior official ceremony taking place last month.
Sinfield is not the only ex-sportsman to have been honoured this year, either.
As per The Manc, former Scotland international and Manchester United player Lou Macari (who still has a chippy in his name right near the ground) has also been made an MBE.
While Sinfield was recognised for services to sport and charity, 77-year-old Macari has been awarded the accolade for his work helping the homeless across not just the North but all over the country.
Another local sportsperson listed this year is our very own Head of GB Para Badminton, Richard Mark Morris, 36, who has been awarded an MBE for services to sport and disabled people.
He's been hailed not only for his coaching and improvements to accessibility, but also for helping create a world-class training environment over in Sheffield; he was clearly bowled over when he realised he was being recognised.
Besides the athletics community, others who received OBEs this week include Catherine Handcock, who founded the media brand and magazine Creative HEAD (a major outlet in the hairdressing industry), and fellow York native, Barrie Stephenson, who co-founded the crucial homeless charity, Restore.
Awarded for services to people experiencing homelessness in the city, Christian-backed non-profit Restore has helped accommodate, support and rehouse rough sleepers since 2010.
Speaking to fellow local outlet YorkMix, Stephenson said: "I may be the only person who has been with the charity from its inception, but I have worked with so many others who should share this honour, especially Ed Hambleton, our co-founder, who gave up a secure job to pioneer Restore with me.
Well in, Barrie.
You can find the full list of 1,182 people named on this year's list online, or simply look at which other Yorkshire/Northern legends made the 2026 honours right HERE.
Number 10 North has officially 'opened for business' this week, and Andy Burnham has now explained his key reasons for launching it.
You may remember that earlier last month, Andy Burnham revealed he had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, with the new base expected to be a 'dominant driver of the UK's economy' once it was officially up and running... and now, fast forward to today, Number 10 North is officially 'open for business'.
Operating from Heron House in Manchester city centre, as previously reported on by The Manc, Number 10 North will be the Government’s new 'situation room for growth'.
It also brings the 'levers' of local economic growth and devolution together under one roof for the first time ever.
With the Prime Minister expected to work from Number 10 North each week, so that decisions about the country’s economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster, and with other ministers also working from there on a regular basis, the Government says the move underlines its determination to 'do things differently'.
Number 10 North has officially 'opened for business' / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
Now that Number 10 North has officially opened, Andy Burnham has explained why this move is so important for Yorkshire and the north as a whole.
"For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve," explained Andy Burnham.
"Number 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country. It will be the situation room for making Britain better, the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around.
"The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good."
Featured Image - The Manc Group
News
Pints of Knowledge, Callum Campbell’s fastest-growing event, is coming to Leeds city centre this summer
Clementine Hall
The pub night that's packing out venues across the UK is coming to Leeds.
Let us introduce you to Pints of Knowledge, a phenomenon founded by Callum Campbell that has built a social media following of more than 160,000 people.
This is different to your average night out, it's a chance to meet new people and spark interesting conversation all in the relaxing surroundings of a pub.
The event has attracted thousands to its unique mix of expert talks, conversation and community in pubs across the UK.
Image: Supplied
And if you're looking to get in on the action then you're in luck, because Pints of Knowledge is arriving at The Wardrobe on Sunday 9 August.
So, what can you expect? From landmark legal history and the hidden pressures behind big systems to the evolving language of gaslighting and radical cinema, Sunday's Leeds programme will demonstrate exactly why Pints of Knowledge has struck such a chord with audiences across the UK.
Founder Callum Campbell, who has spent more than a decade producing live events across Britain, said bringing the concept to Leeds was the natural next step - and we're so happy he thought so.
Image: Supplied
He said: "I've always wanted to bring Pints of Knowledge to more cities across England, and Leeds has such a strong appetite for ideas and conversation. Watching this grow has been amazing, and I can't wait to bring it here.
"As more people look for experiences beyond a traditional night out, Pints of Knowledge offers something different: expert speakers, thought-provoking conversations and the chance to meet new people, all in the relaxed surroundings of a pub.
"People still love going to the pub, but they're looking for more from the experience. Pints of Knowledge is about hearing incredible stories, asking questions, meeting interesting people and leaving having learned something new."
Image: Supplied
The Pints of Knowledge programme at The Wardrobe will look like this:
12pm - Human rights lawyer Mahnoor Omer presents '10 Legal Cases that Changed History'.
2pm - Georgina Shute asks 'Why billion-pound systems are built by people who can't finish their to-do lists'.
4pm - Isobel Logan explores 'Gaslighting: The Evolution of a Concept Across Art, Relationships and Politics'.
6pm - Angelos Koutsourakis will examine 'Third Cinema, The Global South & Climate Change'.
Campbell added: "One hour you can be unpacking landmark legal cases, the next you're hearing about the psychology behind gaslighting, before finishing the day exploring cinema and climate change. That's what makes Pints of Knowledge different.
"This is just the beginning. We've seen an incredible response across the UK, and we're excited to build on that by bringing Pints of Knowledge to more cities across the country.”
Pints of Knowledge takes place at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday 9 August, and you can get your tickets here.
Danny Jones -
15th June 2026 
