John Lennon is one of the highest profile figures to reject an honour from the Queen. He returned his MBE four years after accepting it in 1965 as a protest against the Vietnam War, and managed to get more publicity for his peace crusade.

In a note accompanying the gong, he wrote: "Your Majesty, I am returning this in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. With love. John Lennon of Bag."