Film4's Tessa Ross receives CBE

Channel 4 controller of film and drama Tessa Ross, a key player in the development of Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, has been honoured in the New Year's list.

Published today, the Honours List included CBEs for Ross and also BBC Radio 5 Live sports commentator Jimmy Armfield.

Ross, who has backed films such as The Last King Of Scotland, This Is England and The Motorcycle Diaries in her time as head of Film4, said that the honour was "a huge encouragement to do more".

"I'm really honoured to have been recognised in this way - it's a huge encouragement to do more and to do better, though of course it's always the work, and the people that make it, that I feel deserve the real praise," she said.

"And it's only where public service values are upheld - at Channel 4 and at Film4 - that the work can be fought for above all else. I always feel exceptionally lucky to collaborate with people that I admire, to help to create films and programmes that I love, and all for a public service institution that I believe in so wholeheartedly."

Former England captain Armfield, who received his CBE for community work in Lancashire, told The Guardian that he was "surprised and grateful" to get the accolade.

Also on the list, Springwatch presenter and wildlife cameraman Simon King and director of BBC Wales Menna Richards both received OBEs.

Jonnie Turpie, founder and director of independent production firm Maverick Television, received an MBE, alongside long time Courier Media Group journalist Shelia Gow and Northern Ireland court reporter Ivan McMichael.

British actor Patrick Stewart was awarded a Knighthood and Status Quo's Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi were both given CBEs.