McCartney, Winfrey honoured at Kennedy Centre

Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey have both received Kennedy Centre Honours for their lifetime contributions to the entertainment industry.

The two stars were honoured alongside country singer Merle Haggard, composer Jerry Herman and choreography Bill T. Jones when the prizes were handed out in Washington DC on Sunday, Reuters reports.

McCartney received a special tribute from US President Barack Obama, who suggested that it was the "thrill of a lifetime" when the singer crooned the Beatles classic 'Michelle' to the first lady at a White House event earlier in the year.

In his ode to Winfrey, comedian Chris Rock joked that the talkshow host was deserving of praise but no longer needed it at this stage in her career.

Rock further jested that Winfrey was responsible for Obama winning the presidency, by saying: "He didn't get her a job, she got him a job."

The ceremony also featured Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson and Kid Rock performing a medley of legendary country star Merle Haggard's classic tracks.

Previous recipients of the annual Kennedy Centre Honours have included TV icon Lucille Ball, jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, comedian Steve Martin and rocker Bruce Springsteen.

The 2010 Kennedy Centre Honours will be broadcast on December 28 on CBS.