Entertainers take New Year's Honours

Entertainers have taken a host of New Year's Honours, led by a knighthood for Tom Jones.

The 65-year-old singer will be recognised for services to music, while playwright Arnold Wesker and jazz musician John Dankworth will also be knighted. Former head of BBC radio Liz Forgan will be made a Dame.

Seventy-seven year old presenter Bruce Forsyth will be made a CBE, news which, says the Strictly Come Dancing man, had him "quick-stepping with delight."

Broadcaster Peter Snow also becomes a CBE, as does sculptor Rachel Whiteread.

Star of Mike Leigh's acclaimed Vera Drake Imelda Staunton gets an OBE along with Robbie Coltrane – who recently played Hagrid in Harry Potter and Sanjeev Bhaskar of The Kumars at No 42.

MBEs went to Coronation Street's Roy Barraclough, musician Eddi Reader and 1950s singing trio the Beverley Sisters.