Critically-acclaimed singer and songwriter Van Morrison, notorious for sheltering from the spotlight, has been given a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday honours.

The Belfast-born music veteran, whose unique meshing of blues, country, soul and folk has won him worldwide fame and millions of fans, has been honoured for his services to music and tourism in Northern Ireland, the inspiration for many of his hits.

His best-known song Brown-Eyed Girl propelled him to stardom in the 1960s and, at 69, he continues to write and perform.

He is among 1,163 people recognised by the Queen for their achievements and, for the second time in the honours history, female recipients narrowly outnumber men.

Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne is continuing a career-defining year with an OBE alongside television regular Martin Clunes, while Twelve Years A Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and the creator of much-loved Paddington Bear Michael Bond were both awarded CBEs.

American actor and artistic director of the Old Vic theatre Kevin Spacey said he feels like “an adopted son” after being awarded an honorary knighthood for his services to British theatre and international culture.

Once again the names of some high-profile winners were leaked, with newspapers reporting comedian Lenny Henry’s knighthood and Sherlock Holmes actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s CBE days ahead of the official announcement.

Sir Jonathan Stephens, chair of the Honours Committee, said he was “very disappointed” about the leaks, which followed attempts to tighten procedures and access.

Henry, a long-time supporter of the BBC’s Comic Relief, said learning the news gave him “a lovely feeling” and was “like being filled with lemonade”.

Prominent sports figures who have made it on to the list include former Welsh rugby star Gareth Edwards, who has been awarded a knighthood for his long service to the game.

Making up 5% of the recipients, other sporting stars to receive awards include former England footballer Frank Lampard, who was named an OBE, record-breaking cricketer James Anderson, also named an OBE, and the England women’s football captain Casey Stoney, currently competing in the World Cup in Canada, who was named an MBE.

Rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, who was left embarrassed after his name was wrongly reported to be in the last set of honours, was awarded a CBE for his dedication to rugby union.