Luke Littler and Natasha Jonas recognised in King's Birthday Honours
Both the PDC world champion, from Warrington, and the Toxteth fighter, are awarded MBEs in the honours list.
Jonas, a two-weight champion of the world, followed a glittering amateur career with success in the professional ranks. The 40-year-old has also won World and European Championship medals.
READ MORE: Campaigning dad 'cartwheeling in the garden' at King's Birthday Honour
READ MORE: Police hunt for rape suspect who failed to attend court
She recently highlighted the impact of growing up in Liverpool on her life and career, and said: "Your environment and the people that you surround yourself with are big factors in how successful you can be. In this city, we are driven. If there's one thing that we do well, it is we create athletes and sports stars."
Littler, 18, has taken the darts world by storm, reaching the last two PDC finals and winning the 2025 event. His rivalry with Luke Humphries at the top of the sport is reflected in both men receiving MBEs.
Elsewhere, figures from the worlds of science, policing and academia were among local names to make the list.
Among them were Merseyside Police Constable Mark Hobin, whose charity efforts were recognised with an MBE.
Outgoing Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "Mark is one of those incredible people who has dedicated a huge portion of his life and service to supporting others through his charitable work."
PC Hoban said: "I am incredibly proud and deeply honoured to have been awarded an MBE in His Majesty The King's Birthday Honours list.
"Over the last 22 years, policing has taught me the values of teamwork, camaraderie, respect, discipline, compassion and inclusion. It has helped me overcome challenges, deal with tragedy and celebrate success. Above all it has taught me about the power of community spirit and cohesion."
Hazel Fothergill, executive assistant to the Chief Constable, was awarded an MBE for services to policing.
Lancashire & Merseyside
ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Elizabeth Dean. Lately Executive Director, Corporate Development and Delivery, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. For services to Transport. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Zoe Erin Gascoyne. Deputy Director, Offshore Corporate and Wealthy, HM Revenue and Customs. For services to Complex Tax Investigations. (Wirral, Merseyside)
Mark King. Founder, Oliver King Foundation. For services to Public Health. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Richard Telford Perry. Head of Northern Engagement, Department for Transport. For services to Transport in the North of England. (Wallasey, Merseyside)
Catherine Ann Williams. Co-Founder, National Leasehold Campaign. For services to Housing and to Leaseholder. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
The Reverend Peter Martin Abrams. Hospital Chaplain and Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Manager, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. For services to the community in Merseyside and West Lancashire. (Southport, Merseyside)
Robert Gregory Davies. Governor, Bank View High School, Merseyside. For services to Children and Adults with Special Educational Needs. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Hazel Fothergill. Police Staff, Executive Assistant, Merseyside Police. For services to Policing. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Janet Green. For services to Alder Hey Children 's Kidney Fund in Merseyside. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Rachel Sharon Hancocks. Founder, Your Space. For services to Autism in North Wales. (Wirral, Merseyside)
Dr Justin Charles David Hill. Lately Chief Executive Officer, YMCA St Helens. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Southport, Merseyside)
Mark David Hobin. Police Constable, Merseyside Police. For services to Policing. (St Helens, Merseyside)
Amy Hannah James. Intelligence Manager, Home Office. For services to the Protection of Vulnerable People. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Natasha Paula Jonas. For services to Boxing and to the community in Liverpool. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Mohan Singh Kundi. Chair, Sefton Carers Centre. For services to Charity. (Formby, Merseyside)
Arthur Roberts. Lately Chair, Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside and Trustee, Community Foundation for Lancashire. For services to the community in Lancashire and Merseyside. (Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Dr Christopher Alan Goddard. Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Ormskirk, Lancashire)
Dr George Peter Bramham. Acute Care Common Stem Doctor, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Southport General Hospital. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Raymond Guy. Passenger Carrying Vehicle Driving Instructor, Arriva, North West and Wales. For services to Road Safety for Heavy Vehicles. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Karyn Denise Hannaway. For services to Sport and to the community in Sefton. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Martin Johnson. Operating Department Practitioner, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Southport General Hospital. For services to the community in North West England. (Southport, Merseyside)
Elizabeth Helen Louise Parsons. Theatre Practitioner, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Southport General Hospital. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Paul Smith. Senior Paramedic Team Leader, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Southport, Merseyside)
Catherine Anne Stanley. Chief Executive, Huntington's Disease Association. For services to People with Huntington's Disease. (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Lisa Marie Vint. For services to Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention in Merseyside. (Prescot, Merseyside)
THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER
CVO
Mark Francis Whitlock Blundell. Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside. (Merseyside)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Arthur Roberts. Lately Chair, Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside and Trustee, Community Foundation for Lancashire. For services to the community in Lancashire and Merseyside. (Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Dr Christopher Alan Goddard. Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Ormskirk, Lancashire)
Cheshire
ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Nicholas Michael William Smallwood FREng. Lately Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure and Projects Authority. For services to Infrastructure and Project Delivery. (Malpas, Cheshire)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Lisa Fathers. Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bright Futures Educational Trust. For services to Education. (Warrington, Cheshire)
Katie Kendrick. Councillor, Cheshire West and Cheshire Council and Co-Founder, National Leasehold Campaign. For services to Housing and Leaseholders. (Ellesmere Port, Cheshire)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Jack Adrian Caine. UK Lead Volunteer for People, Scouts UK. For services to Young People. (Crewe, Cheshire)
Sue Graves. Children's Author. For services to Children with Special Educational Needs. (Chester, Cheshire)
Luke Humphries. For services to Darts. (Crewe, Cheshire)
Jane Kenyon. Founder, Girls Out Loud. For services to Gender Equality for Women and Girls. (Knutsford, Cheshire)
Luke Littler. For services to Darts. (Warrington, Cheshire)
Dr Vicki Bryony Livesey (Vicki Bryony Worswick). Director, UK Research and Innovation. For services to Industrial Decarbonisation, Carbon Capture and Storage and Net Zero. (Chester, Cheshire)
Ian John Potts. District Commissioner, South West Cheshire Scouts and Group Scout Leader, 26th South West Cheshire Scouts. For services to Young People. (Nantwich, Cheshire)
Michael Llowarch Warburton Flower Viscount Ashbrook. For services to Charity and the community in Cheshire. (Northwich, Cheshire)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Kathryn Burgess. Founder, Cheshire Girls Football League. For services to Girls Football in Mid Cheshire. (Northwich, Cheshire)
Paul Kinnersley Nixon. For services to Ukrainian Refugees. (Macclesfield, Cheshire)
Stuart Campbell Plaskett. Crew Manager, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. For services to Charity. (Knutsford, Cheshire)
HOME OFFICE
KING'S POLICE MEDAL (KPM)
David Mark Thomason. Detective Sergeant, Cheshire Constabulary. (Cheshire)
ALSO
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Marjorie Dutton. Lead Volunteer Akela, Dane Valley Scout Group. For services to Young People and the community in Congleton, Cheshire. (Liversedge, West Yorkshire)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gilbert Arenas Reveals He Plans On Snitching To Avoid Arrest: "Got A Fine-A** Girl At Home"
Gilbert Arenas Reveals He Plans On Snitching To Avoid Arrest: "Got A Fine-A** Girl At Home" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Gilbert Arenas is currently out on bail after being arrested for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation, and he has no intention of being behind bars again. Arenas hosted a live stream on Thursday, where he declared he plans to snitch to avoid being arrested again. "Good luck in court," Arenas said. "I'm pretty sure I ain't gonna be there when it's starting to go, cause, yeah, I'm snitching." Arenas was arrested on Wednesday alongside five other individuals. The 43-year-old revealed that one of the officers actually played against him in high school, and he joked that this was the best defense he'd ever played against him. Each of the six individuals has been charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business. Arenas was also charged with making false statements to federal investigators. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $50,000 bond. Arenas' trial is scheduled for Sept. 23, and he could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty on all three charges. The three-time All-Star hopes to snitch his way out of this. 'Ain't nothing wrong with snitching, man," Arenas said. "It ain't nothing wrong with just telling, man. Ain't nothing wrong with telling, man. Especially when you got a fine-a** girl at home.' Arenas married French social media influencer Melli Monaco on Jan. 20, 2025. He isn't keen on being away from her for too long. Arenas has landed himself in hot water here for allegedly hosting illegal high-stakes poker games at his mansion in Encino, California. He has claimed he only rented out the house and took no part in whatever operation was conducted inside. Kwame Brown, Arenas' former teammate, still ripped him for his arrest, calling him a stupid motherf*****. It wasn't surprising to see that Brown didn't have his back, as these two certainly aren't the best of friends. Arenas mocked Brown for celebrating his arrest, and you can expect these two to keep firing shots at each other. This is the third time that Arenas has landed himself in serious trouble with the law. There was, of course, the infamous gun incident that eventually led to him serving two days in jail and 30 days in a halfway house in 2010. Then, in 2013, he was arrested by the LAPD for possession of illegal story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
When and where to watch Luke Littler in today's World Matchplay semi-finals
LUKE Littler breathed a sigh of relief as he left the stage following his World Matchplay quarter-final victory in Blackpool. Warrington's 18-year-old world champion defied a late surge from tricky Andrew Gilding to reach the semi-finals at Winter Gardens tomorrow night. Gilding is a slow, methodical performer in a way that has upset Littler's rhythm in the past. Although 'The Nuke' did not allow himself to become frustrated and established a 14-9 lead in a race to 16, his stranglehold was broken by Gilding as he yapped at the teenager's heels like a tormented terrier and pawed his way back into it. Gilding's 127 checkout – his third ton-plus checkout of the contest - against the throw left him one leg behind at 15-14. But Littler was in mood for a tiebreaker and rattled in leg win number 16 in fast time to book his place against Josh Rock in the semis. Littler's scoring was better overall, averaging 103.91 compared to 98.45, and the jewel in his crown was that he cracked in 18 180s, but Goldfinger's checkout percentages were higher at 56 per cent against Littler's 43 per cent. The success with the doubles, and the 28 140-plus scores, kept the 54-year-old in contention until the death. Gilding ended the contest with the highest finish of 160 scored during his late rally, while he also checked out on 124 at the start of the final session to fire Littler a warning of what was to come. 'The Nuke' delivered with a 140 finish of his own when taking a 10-7 lead and in the end he just had a bit too much firepower for Gilding. 2025 Betfred World Matchplay semi-finals schedule: Littler and Rock are due on stage in the Empress Ballroom at 9.30pm in tonight's second semi-final. Rock defeated Gerwyn Price 16-11 in the last of Friday night's quarter-finals. James Wade and Jonny Clayton will contest the first semi-final from 8.05pm. Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The players are battling for a place in Sunday night's final with a first prize £200,000 at stake. The Betfred World Matchplay is considered second only to the World Darts Championship in terms of prestige for individual competitions. Tournament favourite Littler went out in the first round last year, defeated by Michael van Gerwen.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
This gay Olympic figure skater just proposed to his boyfriend and 'he said yes'
We could all use an injection of joy right now, and lucky for us, love is in the air! Out gay Olympic figure skater Paul Poirier just proposed to his boyfriend and shared the happy news with the rest of the world with a cute Instagram post of the two men showing off their new engagement rings. 'We did a thing (he said yes),' Poirier wrote on social media, announcing his engagement to boyfriend Kevin. Poirier's figure skating partner, Piper Gilles, was one of the first to congratulate the lovebirds, commenting, 'So happy for you two!! You've deserved all the love.' The 33-year-old world champion shared the news with those closest to him before making the announcement public. The couple has yet to announce a wedding date. 'It was a very casual proposal at home during our evening routine,' Poirier told Outsports. 'It was really nice to share that quiet moment together, and then to share the news with our families and closest friends. We're both very excited!' It takes a lot of guts to come out as an athlete. Luckily, more and more LGBTQ+ Olympic athletes are taking the plunge. In fact, four Olympic athletes kissed their partners in front of the world during the last Olympics, six lesbian couples who competed at the Paris Olympics, and gold medalist Jade Carey hard launched her new girlfriend just this past March. Poirier may be a fairly private person and a bit of an introvert, but he came out publicly back in 2021, a year ahead of going to the Beijing Winter Olympics. '[Being a gay athlete] hasn't been something that I've really talked about very much, especially in a public setting,' Poirier said at the time. 'I've had this attitude that my private life is my private life and my life outside of skating is my life outside of skating. I haven't necessarily allowed all of those things to [blend] together. I think with the lead-up to the Olympic Games in the next year, I definitely see opportunities to share what we do and who we are to a much wider audience, and that opportunity is not lost on me.' Poirier and Gilles are currently working to land a spot at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This article originally appeared on Pride: This gay Olympic figure skater just proposed to his boyfriend and 'he said yes' RELATED Tom Daley shows off the sweater he's been knitting for the Paris Olympics Meet Gay climber Campbell Harrison who's blazing trials on his way to the Paris Olympics Meet the 6 lesbian couples who are competing in the Olympics together