Martin Lewis has announced that he has had his OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) taken off him, as he’s been awarded a higher honour.
The Money Saving Expert himself announced on his Facebook page that he is now to be awarded the higher honour of CBE – Commander of the British Empire.
That’s as high an honour as can be bestowed on someone in the UK, with the exception of a knighthood or damehood.
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Well, if you’re into that sort of thing anyway.
Lewis wrote: “They're taking my OBE off me!
“Yep, I got a letter saying now I have been upgraded to a CBE, I need to send the OBE back. “So off it goes.”
Now, obviously there’s a lot of controversy about people being awarded honours – some have even refused to accept them – but Lewis is certainly a popular figure amongst the British public, and he’s been a valuable ally to the public over the years with his consumer championing.
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In 2014, Lewis was given his OBE in recognition for his services to consumer rights and charitable services.
He’s been awarded the CBE in this year’s New Year Honours for his services to broadcasting and consumer rights.
Naturally, there are those who think that this honour doesn’t go far enough, with some claiming that he should be given a knighthood for his work.
Under the Good Morning Britain presenter’s post, one said: “You should be knighted for everything you do and have done for millions of people over the years.
“You are a hero to an awful lot of people.”
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Another wrote: “What, so you can't have both?! Congratulations though!
“It saddens me how your job has changed over the years from saving pounds to saving lives, but I am incredibly thankful that you continue to do it!
“Extremely well deserved - Congratulations!”
The CBE is the highest form of recognition that can be bestowed on someone without giving a knighthood or a damehood, as we’ve established, but many people seem to have been unaware of why Lewis can’t have both of them at the same time.
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Basically, the truth of the matter is that the new CBE just supersedes the old OBE, as they’re both titles rather than awards.
It’s a promotion, think of it like that.
As well as the OBE and CBE there are also other awards, such as Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Furthermore, those who are nominated and accepted can be awarded the British Empire Medal, too.
Topics: UK News, Martin Lewis, Money
Tom Wood