Happy Days icon Henry Winkler has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London.

The veteran actor, best known for playing The Fonz in the hit 1970s comedy, was presented with the framed declaration by local officials during a ceremony at the Guildhall venue on Wednesday (08Jan14) in recognition of his extensive charity work to help those struggling with dyslexia and young people with special needs.

The 68 year old follows in the footsteps of Dame Judi Dench, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, Sir Michael Caine and Bob Geldof, who picked up the same accolade in September (13).

The honour has been handed out to people of great importance to London since 1237 and traditionally permits the recipient to be drunk and disorderly on the streets of the city without fearing arrest, and to drive sheep over London Bridge, but these privileges are mainly symbolic in modern times.