Big Brother guru delighted by knighthood

Peter Bazalgette, who brought Big Brother to the UK and devised a string of much-copied lifestyle and reality shows, has called his knighthood in the New Year Honours List a 'delightful compliment'.

The 58-year-old TV executive has been behind hits such as Ground Force and Ready Steady Cook.

Baz - as he is popularly known - said he viewed the award as an acknowledgement of the work of independent TV production firms. He receives his honour for services to broadcasting.

Bazalgette said: "To receive a knighthood is a delightful compliment and I'm acknowledging it as recognition for television's thriving independent production sector in general."

He oversaw the launch, and several series, of Big Brother for Endemol as well as shows such as Fame Academy, Restoration and Deal Or No Deal. He now acts largely as a consultant to the TV industry and for digital media.

Broadcaster Stuart Hall - a familiar voice of sport, news and gameshow It's A Knockout - said it was 'a great accolade' to be honoured with an OBE for his career stretching back more than 50 years.

The presenter, who celebrated his 82nd birthday on Christmas Day, continues to be a regular contributor to BBC Radio 5 Live.

Hall said: "I am very proud that I have made a contribution. It's been acknowledged and lots of people around the world will be very pleased as my family is and I am too - very, very pleased indeed."

Steve Lillywhite, the record producer who put U2 on the road to fame and worked with some of the biggest names in rock, has been awarded a CBE.

Among the artists he has worked over the past 30 years have been The Rolling Stones and Talking Heads. He has been given the honour for services to music.