HE HAS been called The Voice of the Valleys, King of the Swingers and even The Singing Sex God. But yesterday he added a new title: Sir.

Sir Tom Jones, who rose from humble beginnings in Pontypridd in the South Wales valleys, is the glitziest name in a strong year for showbusiness and the arts in the New Year Honours.

He is joined on the list by all three of the Beverley Sisters, the British girl group that preceeded the Spice Girls by 38 years. Joy, 76, Babs and Teddy, both 73, rose to fame after auditioning for an Ovaltine advertisement while evacuees in the Midlands. The sisters, each appointed MBE, went on to become the highest-paid female group in Britain and were the first British girl group to enter the US music chart Top Ten.

Arnold Wesker, the playwright best known for his political and social dramas Chips with Everything and Chicken Soup with Barley, accepted a knighthood. He was named alongside John Dankworth, the jazz saxophonist and composer, whose wife, Dame Cleo Laine, is already part of the Establishment. Sir John, 78, a mainstay of British jazz for more than 50 years, said that he was thrilled to be the first British jazzman knight. “At first I thought it was just a dream, ” he said. “As far as I know I’m the first from the jazz world to get a knighthood. I’m a relic. I’ve played with all the great jazzmen.”

Vivienne Westwood, the fashion designer once regarded as the queen of counter-culture, made another step towards the Establishment by being upgraded from OBE to DBE. Dame Vivienne, 64, recently declared that she would describe herself as an elitist “if there was an elite to belong to”.

Bruce Forsyth, who at 77 remains one of the most popular television presenters, said he was “quick-stepping with delight” after being appointed CBE. The entertainer, who made his comeback two years ago on Have I Got News For You, credited his performance on the programme for the honour. “I’m delighted and I can put this all down to having done Have I Got News for You,” he said. “It proved to everybody that I’m still a performer and still reasonably funny.”

He said that he felt rejuvenated by his latest performance as host of Strictly Come Dancing. “It’s like being reborn again. I hope the Queen has been watching. I think she may have.” He added that he would celebrate by dancing with his wife. “And if she won’t dance with me then I’ll dance with my alsatian dog.”

The Young British Artists circle was also recognised by the appointment of Rachel Whiteread as CBE. The controversial sculptor, who recently filled the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern with 14,000 casts of boxes, was part of the vibrant British art scene of the 1990s alongside Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.

Tony Hall, who as executive director of the Royal Opera House is credited with revitalising the company’s fortunes, was appointed CBE for services to the arts. Mr Hall, who was BBC news director before his move to Covent Garden in 2001, said he was proud that the opera house was succeeding artistically and financially. “I am loving being part of the Opera House team that is doing great things artistically, reaching out to lots of new people and balancing the books.”

Peter Snow, the broadcaster who endeared himself to the nation with his enthusiastic use of the “swingometer” to predict the results of general elections, was also appointed CBE.

Actors were represented by Robbie Coltrane, Imelda Staunton and Sanjeev Bhaskar, all appointed OBE, and by Roy Barraclough, appointed MBE.

Staunton, one of Britain’s most highly regarded character actresses, recently won critical acclaim in the title role of Mike Leigh’s 1950s abortion drama Vera Drake. She won a Bafta award and was nominated for an Oscar.

Coltrane, who named himself after his jazz idol John Coltrane, said that he was “absolutely delighted” with the honour. It is a recognition of his varied acting career, including the title role in the detective series Cracker and his appearances as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, reportedly at the request of J. K. Rowling.

Bhaskar was recognised for his comedy roles, which began with the Asian sketch show Goodness Gracious Me.

Roy Barraclough, who starred with Les Dawson as a gossip-mongering housewife in Cissie and Ada before becoming Alec Gilroy in Coronation Street, said that he was stunned. “I think Les would have been absolutely chuffed for me,” he said. “He would have been very pleased if he was still with us.”

Jeanette Winterson, a Times columnist whose debut novel Oranges are Not the Only Fruit, made her a controversial figure at the age of 23, was appointed OBE.

Johnnie Walker, the BBC Radio 2 presenter who recently overcame cancer to return to the airwaves, said he was pleased that he had been forgiven for being a pirate radio disc jockey in the 1960s. “Having defied Her Majesty’s Government in 1967 with the pirate ship Radio Caroline, I never expected to see my name in the Honours,” he said. “Her Majesty obviously has a forgiving nature and I’m most grateful and honoured. It’s a wonderful start to my 40th year on the radio.”

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