Des Lynam and Kylie Minogue both receive OBEs in Queen’s honours list
Mr Lynam will receive an OBE for services to sport and yesterday described the news as “a splendid surprise” which made him feel “truly privileged”.
The Ennis native has presented several high-profile programmes on British television including Grandstand, Match of the Day, Holiday and Countdown, and recently appeared in adverts promoting Setanta Sports’ Premier League coverage.
He moved to England at the age of seven with his family and grew up in Brighton. The 65-year-old has enjoyed a successful broadcasting career with both the BBC and ITV, having started off as an insurance salesman before becoming a boxing commentator.
Kylie Minogue is also getting an OBE in the honours list following her battle with cancer and said she was “deeply touched”.
Michael Parkinson, whose last chat show was broadcast recently on ITV, is to get a knighthood, while others honoured include Ian McKellan, 68, — made a Companion of Honour, world snooker champion John Higgins, Marks & Spencer magnate Stuart Rose, 58, former runner Brendan Foster and Carry On actor Leslie Phillips, 83.
There were also honours for some of the people involved in this summer’s flooding crisis in Britain.
Former Australian soap star Ms Minogue has sold more than 60 million records and featured in the Christmas Dr Who episode earlier this week.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 but recently made a return to the stage.
“This last year I have felt so much love and support from everyone as I took greater steps back into the public domain and it is with absolute gratitude and joy that I say farewell to 2007 and look forward to what the new year will bring,” she said.
Shakespearean actor Ian McKellan reached new audiences in recent years with his role as Gandalf the wizard in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. He also had a brief role in Coronation Street but most recently wowed the critics with his performance as King Lear.
He said yesterday he was honoured to join the Companion of Honour order as it includes many distinguished practitioners of the arts. “It is particularly pleasing that ‘equality’ is included in my citation,” he said.
Actor Richard Griffiths, 60, who starred in the TV series Pie in the Sky as well as the film version of Alan Bennett’s History Boys gets an OBE, as does James Bond co-producer Barbara Broccoli.
Others honoured include designer Jasper Conran, fashion mogul Karen Millen, rugby coach Brian Ashton and player Jason Robinson, and Eric Hill who created the children’s book character Spot the dog.
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