AFP/London
Veteran horror actor Christopher Lee was made a knight in Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday honours list released yesterday.
Japanese pianist Mitsuko Uchida was made a dame, while hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, television chef Delia Smith, actors Jonathan Pryce and Alan Cumming, fashion designer Jeff Banks and poet Andrew Motion were also among the 984 people from celebrities to housewives to be honoured.
Honours lists are released on New Year’s Day and in mid-June on the queen’s official birthday. The honours reward people from all walks of life for services to their community.
Acclaimed Japanese classical pianist Mitsuko Uchida, who lives in London, was made a dame, the female equivalent of a knighthood.
Lee, 87, has spent his career terrifying cinema-goers.
As well as appearing in classic horror films such as 1958’s Dracula and 1959’s The Mummy, Sir Christopher also played memorable baddie Scaramanga in the 1974 James Bond classic The Man With The Golden Gun.
In recent years he starred as Saruman in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy and Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequels.
Smith, 67, is one of Britain’s best-loved chefs and has been hailed for teaching the nation how to cook with her easy-to-follow recipes.
She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), one step below a knighthood.
“I’ve been writing recipes for 40 years now and so I imagine it’s recognition of that. It does feel special,” she said.
Designer and television presenter Banks was also given a CBE.
“It’s good for the fashion industry, which does not get many awards like this. It’s really lovely that we should get recognised,” the 66-year-old said.
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