Medalling

Once again, a poor direct haul for the BBC in an Honours List, though they'll argue that they have a claim on many....

Of current and recent employees, I can only find John Bennett, the first presenter on Radio Ulster, still at the mike presenting twice on New Year's Day; DJ Spoony aka Johnathan Joseph (standing in for Ken Bruce on Radio 2 last week); YolanDa Brown, the saxophonist occasionally used as a dep on Radio 2; and Chris Kamara, recently transferred to BBC Sport podcasts after a broadcast careeer built at Sky.  

Slightly wider, Grayson Perry subsidises art with regular BBC appearances; many of Stephen Graham's grittiest performances have been on the BBC, and 2023 will see him star in 'Boiling Point'; actor David Harewood interviewed BBC chair Richard Sharp at this year's Edinburgh TV Festival (he's also signed a letter of concern about BBC local radio cuts); Cleo Sylvestre's been in and out of the BBC since Cathy Come Home in 1966.  

'Sir' Roly Keating, in charge at the British Library, spent 29 years climbing the BBC ladder, and handed back his £375k pay-off just after he left in 20122. 

Commercial radio is working harder to win gongs: Frank Skinner, now working most regularly on Absolute Radio, and long-time Classic FM stalwart John Suchet are in this year's list. 

Philip Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts is gonged. Phil Batty is honoured, citing the Birmingham Commonwealth Games ceremonies; Unboxed is not mentioned.