Danny Boyle - Danny Boyle Turns Down Knighthood - Report

The Trainspotting director was nominated for the special honour by representatives of the U.K. government's arts and media honours committee for his work on the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, according to Britain's The Independent.

However, editors at the newspaper report the star rejected the offer.

He apparently hinted at the snub during an interview with Britain's Radio 4 last week (ends16Dec12), telling the host it is unlikely he will ever become Sir Danny Boyle, adding, "I'm very proud to be an equal citizen and I think that's what the (Olympic Games) Opening Ceremony was actually about."

Boyle will join a number of other celebrities in turning down an honour from Britain's Queen - in 1969, Beatles legend John Lennon returned an Mbe (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) he had been awarded four years earlier (65), while Empire of the Sun author JG Ballard turned down a Cbe (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2003.

Legendary director Alfred Hitchcock snubbed a Cbe in 1962, but he went on to be knighted in 1979.