Joe Wicks reacts to receiving an MBE from the Queen for his efforts during Covid
Joe Wicks has described his MBE from the Queen for his efforts during the pandemic as a "dream come true" and revealed he's yet to tell his mum and dad about his honour.
The 35-year-old fitness star, also known as The Body Coach, was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours after helping families keep active with his online PE lessons during lockdown in March.
Wicks, who has two children with model wife Rosie Jones, raised £580,000 for NHS Charities Together with his online workouts which amassed millions of viewers.
"My childhood and how I grew up, if you met me as a little boy you'd have thought, he's not going to go anywhere, he's not going to do anything great," the coach told PA following the announcement. "But I've turned it around and I really am proud I've become this person who's helping people."
A post shared by Joe Wicks (@thebodycoach) on Jul 22, 2020 at 2:34am PDT
He continued: "I haven't even told my mum and dad yet, so it's a surprise for them and I hope they are going to be proud of me. Joe Wicks MBE, I just can't believe it! It's like a dream come true!"
The Queen's Birthday Honours list is traditionally announced in June, when the monarch celebrates her official birthday, but it was postponed so that the people who played a crucial part in the first months of the coronavirus crisis could be added.
The 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List has been released: https://t.co/0uRNiUxzSK
Congratulations to all recipients!#Honours2020 pic.twitter.com/y24qpGk2pr— Cabinet Office (@cabinetofficeuk) October 9, 2020
Footballer Marcus Rashford also became an MBE for services to vulnerable children. The 22-year-old Manchester United player and England forward lobbied the Government into a U-turn over its free school meals policy during lockdown, ensuring children in need would receive meals throughout the summer.
Rashford said becoming an MBE sounded "a little bit strange but obviously I feel honoured".
Front-line NHS workers and volunteers were also recognised for their effors.
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