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One king and Status Quo rockers honoured in Britain |
LONDON, (AFP) - |
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| This file picture taken on October 20, 2009 shows Formula One World Champion Jenson Button posing for photographers during a promotional photocall at the Bluewater shopping centre, in Kent, south-east England. Formula One world champion Jenson Button and the two remaining original members of veteran rockers Status Quo were recognised in the British New Year's Honours List recently. -AFP |
Formula One world champion Jenson Button and the two remaining original members of veteran rockers Status Quo were recognised in the British New Year's Honours List on Thursday.
Button said becoming an MBE, or Member of Order of the British Empire, was the "crowning glory" to the "most incredible" year of his life.
The 29-year-old emerged from the shadow of compatriot Lewis Hamilton to become the dominant driver in Formula One in 2009.
Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi are awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for their hugely successful musical career with Status Quo, including worldwide record sales of more than 118 million and a record-breaking 64 British hit singles.
Singer-guitarist Parfitt, 61, said he and Rossi, 60, deserved the accolade for their musical career spanning four decades -- and he wondered if his rock and roll lifestyle had spoiled his chances in the past.
"I had kind of given up hoping. Particularly with my wild past -- if they'd reviewed some of my old newspaper cuttings," he said.
"To be perfectly honest, with all the hard work we have put in over the years I accept it graciously. I do think we deserve it with all that work and what we have done for charity."
Rossi said of his OBE: "I'm not sure we're worthy. I've followed these things for so long and you see all these people and you sometimes think 'oh, I'm not sure about them'."
He said there was no question of him and Parfitt following the lead of musicians such as David Bowie, who refused an honour in 2000.
"You hear about people refusing them because it's not rock and roll but that's a dickhead approach," he added.
Knighthoods were awarded to "Star Trek" actor Patrick Stewart and Scottish rugby international-turned-Lions coach Ian McGeechan.
Stewart said he was "very proud" to be knighted, while McGeechan dedicated the honour to his family.
Dr Claire Bertschinger, whose appearances in BBC television reports on the 1984 Ethiopian famine inspired Bob Geldof to organise Live Aid, was made a dame for services to nursing and to international humanitarian aid.
She said it was "an enormous honour", adding: "I couldn't believe it when I saw the letter -- I thought it was from the taxman."
The man who made Button's success possible, Brawn Grand Prix team owner Ross Brawn, was honoured with an OBE for 30 years of service to motorsport.
Erich Reich, 74, a tour operator from London, was knighted for his charity work, including his role as chairman of the Kindertransport Group of the Association of Jewish Refugees.
Reich, himself a refugee who came to the UK in 1939 aged four, organised events to mark the 70th anniversary of parliament's decision to allow children into Britain from Nazi-occupied Europe.
He said: "I want to thank the people of Britain for allowing the Kinder to come to the UK and for this amazing honour."
From the world of literature, children's author Dick King-Smith, who wrote the book that became the 1995 hit film "Babe", was awarded an OBE. |
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