15 Famous Names Who Turned Down British Honours

Acclaimed restaurant critic and director of big screen classics such as Death Wish, Death Wish II and Death Wish 3, Michael Winner took it as a personal affront when he was offered the OBE back in 2006. Writing as columnist for the Sunday Times, he said an OBE is “what you get when you clean the toilets well at King’s Cross Station”.

Never afraid of causing offence, Winner continued, "I'm very glad that they recognise my considerable skills as a toilet cleaner. But when you look at the rubbish who are getting these awards and the absolute non-service they have given to the nation other than financing or working for political parties, you say, 'What company am I in?'"