Paul Weller - The Jam legend was named as amongst those receiving a CBE on the 2007 New Years honours list. A spokesperson announced that he refused it, saying: "Paul was surprised and flattered, but it wasn't really for him".

Humphrey Lyttelton - The late jazz musician and broadcaster refused a knighthood in 1995. To non-jazz fans he is most famous for working on ‘Life In A Glasshouse’ with Radiohead.

Ringo Starr - Despite already being an MBE, The Beatles drummer has categorically stated that he doesn’t want to become a Sir, joking that he would prefer to be a Duke or Prince instead. Also on his 2003 track ‘Elizabeth Reigns’, Ringo sings on the final line “There goes my knighthood”.

David Bowie - The rock chameleon refused a CBE in 2000, then turned down a knighthood three years later. Explaining why he said no to becoming a Sir in 2003, Bowie told The Sun: "I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don't know what it's for. It's not what I spent my life working for.” He also refused to pass comment on Mick Jagger acceptance to become a knight, adding: "It's not my place to make a judgment on Jagger, it's his decision. But it's just not for me.”

Keith Richards - When Sir Mick Jagger accepted his knighthood at Buckingham Palace in 2002, Richards blasted his Rolling Stones bandmate for “selling out”. Truly keeping it real, Richards declined a CBE for his services to music.

Hank Marvin - The lead guitarist of Cliff Richards’ group The Shadows was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2004 as one of the people receiving an OBE. Unlike Cliff, he said no to his honour.

John Lennon - The Beatle famously returned his MBE insignia back in 1969 in protest at Britain’s involvement in the (Biafran) Nigerian Civil War and support of America’s conflict in Vietnam.

Benjamin Zephaniah - The poet and dub musician turned down an OBE in 2003. Unlike some other musicians on this list who politely refused, Zephaniah slammed the honour strongly. He explained to The Guardian that he turned it down because the OBE reminded him of "how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised."

George Melly - The ultra-eccentric blues and jazz singer refused a CBE in 2001. Explaining his decision, the late star said: "I didn't see the point of accepting an honour from a Hanoverian sovereign of a former empire."