Spacey, Cumberbatch and Ball among Queen's birthday honours

Kevin Spacey, Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lesley Manville, Michael Ball and Chiwetel Ejiofor are among the theatre names recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Spacey, who steps down this year after over a decade as artistic director of the Old Vic, is knighted, while Ball, Manville and recent Oscar winner Redmayne are made OBEs; Ejiofor, currently starring in Everyman at the National Theatre, and Cumberbatch are given CBEs.

American Spacey said he felt like an "adopted son" of the UK after his tenure at the Old Vic. Ball, whose many theatre credits include Les Miserables, Aspects of Love, Hairspray and Sweeney Todd, said he was "chuffed to bits".

As previously reported, Lenny Henry, who has lately enjoyed a stellar stage acting career, has also been knighted.

Elsewhere, outgoing Manchester International Festival director Alex Poots is given a CBE, while director Paulette Randall and Royal Ballet dancer Edward Watson are both made MBEs.