"It's unexpected and it's an honour, but what pleases me most is that I'm the third member of my family to receive a CBE. The first was my cousin Group Captain Walter Wilson and the second was my niece, the actress Harriet Walter."

Hammer horror actor Christopher Lee.

"Everybody knows me as Jimmy, my wife, my friends, even the kids. I had another friend who insited on calling me Seamus, which would be interesting. Funnily enough though, I had a number of friends who for some reason have called me Sir James or Sir Jimmy all my life."

Flautist James Galway on what he is going to call himself having been made a knight.

"It's nice to get any award but apart from that it's good for photographers and disaffected dyslexics like me. This means I get my own back on the teachers who treated me like an idiot and said I would never make anything of myself."

Celebrity and fashion photographer David Bailey recalls his miserable time at school in east London in the light of receiving a CBE.

"I am absolutely thrilled to receive this honour which came like a bolt out of the blue. You never think you will be chosen and it is wonderful to receive such recognition." Scottish singer and broadcaster Linda Ormiston who is made an OBE for her services to the world of opera.

I am very pleased, but I was very taken aback when I heard. I even had to look up what it was they were giving it to me for."

Playwright and artist John Byrne - known for Tutti Frutti and his acclaimed plays The Slab Boys Trilogy and Cuttin' a Rug - expresses his surprise at being made MBE.

"It just shows how hard it is for women to get honours like this and how there are far fewer parts for women than men."

Actress Eileen Atkins on joining a very select group of theatrical Dames, including Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.

"It's wonderful for me, the company and the city of Birmingham. I am just really lucky in what I do."

Choreographer David Bintley on his award.