I guess the problem is that he's not a celebrity.
Today's
Daily Telegraph carries readers' letters on the unfairness and arbitary nature of the British honours system, two of which characterise its failings as follows:
"Sir - Compare the MBE awarded to Master Navigator Tony Melton for years of brave and life-saving service in the Royal Air Force (obituaries, December 31) with the over-inflated awards to the many celebrities, sports people and time-servers featured in the New Year's honours list."
"Sir - A true East Ender: three husbands, five abortions, numerous affairs and now a Dame."
The western world, and particularly its youth, is obsessed with frothy celebrity - usually in some kind of show business. Occasionally, its imagination is briefly captured by the exploits of real heroes, including aerospace figures like "Sully", Chris Hadfield or Tim Peake.
Now if Tom Hanks, once he's finished with his film about Sully, should make one about Winkle Brown, with himself starring in the lead role...