​ReporterJohn Cleese previously turned down a CBE. John Cleese previously turned down a CBE in the New Year’s Honours. The actor achieved global fame as a co-founder of the comedy troupe Monty Python, starring in all four feature films. He is also widely recognised for co-writing and starring as Basil Fawlty in the highly acclaimed sitcom Fawlty Towers. Mr Cleese’s other iconic parts include the friendly Hogwarts ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, in multiple Harry Potter films. John Cleese. (Image: CinemaLive) With the King’s New Year’s Honours list being announced for 2026, several famous names have resurfaced due to them turning down honours in the past. One of these is Mr Cleese, who declined appointment as a CBE back in 1996 before then rejecting the offer of a life peerage in 1999. Turning down a seat in the House of Lords, he stated that he “did not wish to spend winters in England” and being a peer would be “ridiculous”. John CleeseMonty PythonCelebrities