Several Scots have been named in this year's King's Birthday Honours, including The Gruffalo author, a radio DJ, and a former Celtic star. Writer Julia Donaldson, Clyde 1 staple George Bowie, and Hoops legend Lou Macari have all been recognized for their extraordinary achievements and community service.
Julia Donaldson Made a Dame
The Glasgow-based author, who has written more than 200 books including The Snail And The Whale, Room On The Broom, Zog, Stick Man, Tiddler, The Scarecrows' Wedding, and The Highway Rat, has been made a dame for services to literature. Dame Julia, 77, has sold more than 50 million books worldwide and last year supplanted Harry Potter writer JK Rowling as the UK's all-time top author in terms of units sold. She said she owes much of her success to her childhood library and the librarian who fostered her love of reading.
"Receiving this honour has been a very happy surprise," Dame Julia said. "It's really gratifying to have children's books recognised in this way. I'm so grateful for all the enthusiastic support I've had during my career from people in the book world - those in the very many libraries, schools and bookshops I've visited over the years, my wonderful illustrators, the publishers and literacy charities I've been involved with, and of course my readers."
She added: "Going back further, perhaps my biggest debt of all is to the library which was in walking distance of my childhood home and the librarian who helped me discover the books and authors that I came to love. Without that place and person I probably would never have become a children's writer - let alone a dame. So I'm making a plea to the Government for more libraries and more librarians in our communities and schools, so that the current generation of children can enjoy all the benefits that reading brings."
George Bowie Awarded MBE
Radio presenter George Bowie, who has hosted a breakfast show for nearly three decades, has said he is "delighted" to become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to radio and charity in the west of Scotland. Bowie At Breakfast has long been a fixture on Clyde 1 and next April will mark 30 years of the DJ presenting the show live. The 58-year-old, famed for the GBX, has long attended charity events across Scotland without accepting any fee. He has done high-profile work with the charity Cash For Kids and has helped social groups receive more than £1 million in grants.
Born in Greenock, Bowie first began working in radio in the late 1980s. He said: "Everybody got their own radio show apart from me, so that made me all the more determined. I've been doing it ever since." His breakfast show means he gets up at 4am daily, though the presenter says his programme "doesn't feel like work". He continued: "I had my time going out clubbing when I was younger. Now I have an excuse to leave early - I'm going on the radio. I'm lucky enough to work with a great group of people."
Bowie first became involved in charity work as his younger brother is severely disabled. He currently does around 50 charity gigs a year for various causes. Reflecting on the MBE, he said his 88-year-old mother Betty was overjoyed to hear of his nomination, adding: "I can't describe what this means to her." He said the honour is "amazing" even if others are more deserving, saying: "I'm delighted to receive it."
Lou Macari Receives MBE
Ex-Celtic player Lou Macari has also received an MBE for services to football and fighting homelessness. He set up the Macari Foundation to help combat homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent in 2016.
Other Honours
Lucina Hackman, professor of forensic anthropology at the University of Dundee, said she is "honoured" to have been given a damehood. Professor Andrew Morris of the University of Edinburgh praised the "extraordinary strength of medical science" as he is honoured with a knighthood. Legendary actress Dame Helen Mirren has also been made a Companion of Honour for services to drama. The rare accolade recognises service of national importance and is limited to just 65 people at any one time. Also receiving awards are two-time Ryder Cup winning captain Luke Donald, snooker World Championship finalist Shaun Murphy, and DJ Carl Cox, who got OBEs. Television presenter Anneka Rice received an MBE.
