Tonight, Rod’s the knight
It’s a ‘monumental honour’ for rocker.
Rod Stewart thanked the Queen for the “monumental” honour of being knighted in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours list yesterday as he became Sir Rod Stewart for services to music and charity.
Sir Rod was the headline act among the 1149 people to receive an award in a list that included OBEs for television presenters Ant and Dec, actor Brian Blessed, and a Companion of Honour medal for Dame Vera Lynn at the age of 99. Astronaut Tim Peake became the first Briton honoured for work in space.
Sir Rod, 71, whose music career began in 1961, said: “I’ve led a wonderful life and have had a tremendous career thanks to the generous support of the great British public. This monumental honour has topped it off.’’
With a pun on one of his most famous songs, he added: “I thank Her Majesty and promise to ‘wear it well’.”
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who hosted the Queen’s 90th birthday horse pageant last month and have a long-standing connection to the Prince’s Trust, said they were “shocked” by the news of their OBEs for services to broadcasting and entertainment.
“We are just two ordinary lads from the west end of Newcastle,” said the 40-year-olds. “This will definitely be the proudest our mams have ever been.”
Alan Shearer, the former England striker, receives a CBE for charitable services to the community in the Northeast.
Brian Blessed, 79, said he was “absolutely delighted” with his OBE for services to the arts and charity.
Dame Vera Lynn became a Companion of Honour for her contribution to entertainment and charity. Actress Penelope Wilton, who plays Isobel Crawley in Downton Abbey, is one of 13 new Dames, for her services to drama.
Major Tim Peake, 44, said: “This is to recognise the hundreds of dedicated staff who made my mission possible.”