Jasper Carrott honoured

Jasper Carrott says he is "thrilled but humbled" to be awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List for his services to charity.

The comedian has spent years raising money for worthy causes.

He has amassed a multi-million pound fortune thanks to his stake in the company behind Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

"Obviously, I am absolutely thrilled to receive the OBE but I am also extremely humbled when I think about all the people in the past who have received the same honour," Carrott said today.

"I also feel slightly sheepish about it when I consider that so many people have done so much more and have gone unrecognised.

"I don't consider myself to be the sole recipient of this award - rather, I'm accepting it on behalf of all the amazing people I have worked with on these projects."

Besides work for the Variety Club and the NSPCC, Carrott supports local charities in his native West Midlands.

He is a patron of Sunfield in Clent, near Stourbridge, a special school for severely autistic children.