Waterman claims OBE

Pop guru Pete Waterman has been awarded an OBE.

10:04 31 December 2004

Pete Waterman, the music guru and former Pop Idol judge, has been given an OBE in the New Year's honours list.

Waterman was among a number of celebrities to be recognised in the annual roll call.

Also winning OBEs were actor Geoffrey Palmer and Quentin Blake, the artist whose illustrations are best known for accompanying Roald Dahl's children's stories.

Veteran comic Eric Sykes has been given a CBE. Sykes, 81, who starred in a number of sitcoms in the 1960s and 70s, continues to perform despite suffering a number of ailments, which include being deaf.

Actress Anna Massey also received a CBE, as did Roger Daltrey, who fronted the iconic band 70s rock band, The Who.

As well as the famous names claiming awards, there were also titles for lesser-known heroes such as David Reading, who set up the Anaphylaxis Campaign after his daughter died from a nut allergy.

A hospital porter, a foster carer and a lollipop lady were also included in the coveted list of honours.