15 Famous Names Who Turned Down British Honours

Political broadcaster and journalist Jon Snow rejected the offer of an OBE, believing it would compromise the professional integrity of his role as a working journalist. The offer did, however, prompt Snow to investigate the whole rigmarole. His investigation became the Channel 4 documentary ‘Secrets of the Honour System’ which, by all accounts, didn’t reveal anything too salacious, if only because so few insiders were willing to speak out.

Snow's own conclusion reads: "I tried to find out why I'd been given it and was unable to get a clear answer or, indeed, to find out who had proposed me."