Veteran entertainer Des O'Connor has been awarded a CBE by the Queen for a career in showbusiness spanning more than 50 years.

The 76-year-old TV host, comedian and crooner has been a popular performer since the 1960s.

O'Connor found further fame when he replaced another housewife's favourite, Des Lynam, on cult afternoon show Countdown last year but he quit the series after less than 12 months fronting the programme.

The celebrity, who was joined at the event by his wife Jodie Brooke Wilson, 39, four-year-old son Adam and four daughters, said: "This is just a very nice cherry on the cake.

"I'd be a hypocrite if I said I didn't enjoy it. It's very enjoyable. I've got my wife here, daughters and my little boy so it's a good day even with this weather."

Asked what the Queen said to him, he replied: "She said 'Thank you for many hours of enjoyable entertainment' and I'm told she watches Countdown."

The celebrity's singing was famously mocked by comedians Morecambe and Wise but speaking about the Queen he joked: "She begged me to sing but you know there were other people waiting and she can buy my new album. It's called Inspired, so it will be all right."

The entertainer landed his first TV series in 1963 and hosted the Des O'Connor Tonight show for 25 years.

Film composer and music critic Michael Nyman also received a CBE for a career in the music industry.

Nyman is best known for his long collaboration with the filmmaker Peter Greenaway and his multi-platinum soundtrack album to director Jane Campion's movie The Piano.

Award-winning actress Janet McTeer, famous for her lead role in Lynda La Plante's prison drama The Governor, was awarded an OBE for services to drama.

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