Jones Knighted In New Year Honours List

Welsh singer Tom Jones has been awarded a knighthood for services to music in British monarch Queen Elizabeth II's annual New Year Honours list.

The 65-year-old, from Pontypridd in Wales, began his musical career in 1963 singing in TOMMY SCOTT AND THE SENATORS. Sir Tom has since sold millions of albums around the world.

Veteran jazz musician JOHN DANKWORTH, who has worked with legends including Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, was also knighted.

Elsewhere, VERA DRAKE star Imelda Staunton and Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane were both made an Officer Of The Order Of The British Empire (OBE), as was men's fashion designer Ozwald Boateng.

Top TV chef Gordon Ramsay was named a Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire (CBE) along with veteran television personality and comedian Bruce Forsyth.

Punk fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has been made a Dame, and Member Of The Order Of The British Empire (MBE) honours go to 1950s trio THE BEVERLEY SISTERS - BABETTE, JOY and TEDDIE - and singer/songwriter Eddi Reader.