WATCH: Irish broadcaster Annie Mac admits turning down MBE to avoid association 'with the British Empire’

Popular Irish radio broadcaster and DJ Annie Mac revealed that she turned down an MBE as she didn't want to be "associated with the British Empire".

Mac admitted to host Patrick Kielty on Friday night's episode of the Late Late Show that the “quite mad language” around an invitation to accept the honorary title had led to her turning it down.

Mac added that she doesn’t want to be “associated” with the British Empire, adding that "it’s quite mad, it’s like something from another century."

“It’s like. We want to submit your name to be an honorary member of the Excellent Order of the British Empire. It’s 2022 lads, what is this language?

"I don’t want to be associated with the British Empire, I did history in school, I know about that, and if they change the language I’d be really happy to receive it, but right now, language wise, I just wasn’t happy to”.

The Dublin-born radio broadcaster has made a name for herself since moving to the UK, hosting a variety of shows on BBC Radio 1 including BBC Switch and Future Sounds. She also DJed in various locations, including hosting her own AMP (Annie Mac Presents) Lost and Found venues in places like Ibiza, as well as headlining for Harry Styles in Slane Castle in 2023.

Mac was offered an MBE in 2022, but as she admitted, turned it down. The honorary title, which stands for Member of the Order of the British Empire, is awarded to those who are “outstanding in their field and have delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others”. 

Several BBC DJs have been offered the title, including Pete Tong, who accepted in 2014.