Singer Rebecca Ferguson has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours, along with a whole host of stars.

Rebecca, 37, who first appeared on  X Factor in 2010 beating One Direction to second place, received the recognition for her services to music, voluntary and charitable work.

Upon hearing the news, the mum-of-four described it as a 'lovely surprise' and thanked her family and the people of Liverpool.

On Saturday morning, Rebecca took to X, formerly known as Twitter and penned:

'What a lovely surprise. I would like to thank King Charles III and the Prime Minister - I am very grateful and honoured to be recognised with this prestigious award.

Singer Rebecca Ferguson has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours, along with a whole host of stars

'I would also like to thank and honour my late Grandmother Mavis Jameson of Clan Stewart, Clan Bruce, Can Gunn and Clan Erskine. She taught me history, which empowered me to  be able to speak truth to power.

'Also my Mother and late Grandmother, Caroline Ferguson of Saint Ann Jamaica, a strong woman who went before me.

'I would especially like to thank the people of Liverpool - without your unwavering support I would not have been in this position.

'My husband for guiding and helping me through the tough days of campaigning and my most loved wonderful children.

'I would also like to thank CIISA and every person who has made it happen - we are only starting out, long may this be a new reality for the industry.'

Taking to the comment section, fans congratulated the singer for the huge accolade: 'Wonderful to see this Rebecca. So pleased for you. Well deserved after what you've been through. Continue to make beautiful music.'

'what lovely, proud news Rebecca for you and your family, many congratulations..a well deserved accolade :) x'

'So, so well deserved Rebecca! You rock in more ways than one'

'Congratulations Rebecca! This is a massive achievement. You deserve it'. 

Following her success on the ITV singing show, Rebecca went on to release several albums and became a panellist on Loose Women.

The Liverpool-born performer later turned her hand to activism within the industry and in 2021, met former culture secretary Oliver Dowden to discuss discrimination, a meeting which she described at the time as 'very productive'.

It came as she campaigned for the introduction of a regulatory body for the sector, which would work to ensure artist welfare.

Last year, Rebecca gave evidence to MPs on the Women And Equalities Committee as part of a 2023-2024 report into misogyny and discrimination in the UK music industry.

She criticised music managers and agents, whom she claimed manipulate artists, during the inquiry which examined misogynistic attitudes that exist in the industry and what steps could be taken to improve attitudes and treatment of women.

In December, she told The Mirror Simon Cowell had personally apologised for not stepping in while she was bullied after the X Factor. 

The Heaven singer revealed: 'I did have an apology from Simon. He invited me to his home in Holland Park and said he was sorry for the way I had been treated, and he wished he had stepped in sooner to ensure I was looked after.'

Earlier this year Rebecca opened up and said being vocal about her experience in the music industry has brought her 'a lot of peace'.

'I feel like the minute you get completely authentic and completely honest, and you stop holding secrets, you just become totally free,' she told Anita Rani on BBC Radio 2.

'I felt like it was the best thing I've ever done. Just acknowledging what has happened. Being vocal, speaking out, it brought me a lot of peace.

'Suddenly I just felt unafraid and I did feel like it was empowering.'

Rebecca also previously called on media watchdog Ofcom to conduct an investigation into reality TV shows to 'ensure the future safety of contestants'.

On X, formerly Twitter, she posted a screenshot of an email which she said she sent to ITV and Ofcom in 2021 making a 'formal complaint' in relation to the treatment of contestants on reality shows but said 'my concerns appeared to be fobbed off'.

At the time, a spokesperson for Ofcom said they 'listened carefully to the extent of her concerns about the treatment of contestants during her time on The X Factor in 2010' when they met her virtually in 2021.

A statement from ITV said the broadcaster was 'committed to having in place suitable processes to protect the mental health and welfare of programme participants'.