Gongs

Freelance presenter Eamonn Holmes, 58, has been made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the New Year's Honours List, for "services to broadcasting". On the overseas list, Eamonn's old GMB sparring partner Ross King, 54, now based in Los Angeles, also gets an OBE.

Rosie Millard, former BBC arts reporter, gets the OBE for services as Chair of Hull, City of Culture. Radio London presenter Eddie (Augustus) Nestor becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire. BBC pollster and heartthrob Professor John Curtice, who authoritatively declared a hung parliament in June, is knighted. Lord Bragg and Lady Antonia Fraser will be able to play word games together in ante-rooms ahead of ceremonies involving Companions of Honour.

Linda McAuley, consumer broadcaster on Radio Ulster for 22 years, is made an MBE. Rick Stein, most recently eating his way along the west coast of the USA and Mexico on tv, is made a CBE. There's an OBE for Revel Guest (one-time Panorama producer) and CBE for Peter Florence, prime-movers of the Hay Festival so loved by the BBC.

And Darcy Bussell, five years on the judging panel for Strictly, becomes a Dame. 18 years as principal dancer with the Royal Ballet may also have helped.