Sir Grayson Perry has said that his knighthood feels “extra special” because it is about his achievements, not his social class.

Islington-based Sir Grayson was made a Knight Bachelor for services to the arts in King Charles’ first New Year Honours list.

The 62-year-old artist, writer and broadcaster has lived in Rosebery Avenue since 1988 and is best known for his tapestries, ceramic works and cross-dressing.

Speaking to Channel 4 News about his honour, Sir Grayson said that he never considered turning down his knighthood because “it’s more interesting to be inside the tent and you can have more fun”.

He added: “I’m very flattered and honoured and coming from a kind of working-class background, it kind of feels like…I’m definitely on a winning streak.

“[The knighthood] feels extra special, because it’s about what I’ve achieved, I suppose, rather than any class position I hold.

“It’s not necessarily a smooth fit, but I quite like that.

“I think it’s very cool that they’ve given it to me because you know, I could be a liability.”

Essex-born Sir Grayson, who calls himself a “tranny potter”, often explores fashion, conformity and prejudice in his work and appears in public as his female alter-ego, Claire.

He has been active in the local community, campaigning in 2015 to try to save the ceramics department at City and Islington College in Blackstock Road.

Other notable people with links to Islington in this year’s honours list include David Harewood, who was made an OBE after becoming a prominent voice for better mental health support.

In 2019, David created a one-off BBC documentary Psychosis And Me, which saw him retrace his steps and delve into his breakdown after being sectioned aged 23 at the Whittington Hospital, in Magdala Avenue, Archway.

He told presenter Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in May last year: “I started to sort of have these moments of blackouts and suddenly wake up at three o’clock in the morning and I’d be outside Euston station in the middle of the night.

“I was just in and out of reality. It was bizarre and scary and ethereal.”

Horrid Henry creator, Francesca Simon, who has lived in Tufnell Park for more than 20 years, was made an OBE for services to literature.

Former Islington Council leader (2006-2009), James Kempton, was made an MBE for services to education and social mobility.