Australian comedian Adam Hills was inducted onto the Queen’s New Years Honors List

Australian comedian Adam Hills was in the queenNew Year’s Honor Roll.

The 51-year-old, who wears a prosthetic leg and promotes disability awareness, was awarded the title Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for Paralympic Sports Merit and Disability Awareness.

the Logie-Award-winning TV host joins people like James Bond star Daniel Craig, formerly, formerly Spice Girl Mel B, Elton John‘s longtime collaborator and copywriter Bernie Taupin and tennis ace Emma Raducanu received awards at the annual awards.

The comedian joked about the award on Instagram: “I finished as Man of Beach Enjoyment in 2021. I started as a member of the Order of the British Empire in 2022.

“I am delighted to have been awarded an MBE and I would not have made it without the support of my friends, family, colleagues and teammates.

“I am particularly honored to be recognized for services to Paralympic sports and disability awareness. I will continue to shout as loudly as I can about both (with a sign interpreter for those who need it). We hope for a wonderful year for all of us.”

the AACTA The TV host nominee later took to Twitter to thank everyone for the messages they received, adding, “It’s brilliant to see so many Paralympians marvelous”.

Hills, who was born without a right foot and wears a prosthesis, embraces his disability in his stand-up routines and several TV shows, including a UK panel program The last leg.

“Honestly, it’s a pretty big deal for a boy from the southern suburbs of Sydney,” Hills told the UK Press association.

He revealed that he hadn’t told his family about the honor in advance, saying, “First of all, I’m still not convinced that someone is not playing a trick on me about the royal family making them change their minds before the awards to be announced. “

However, the father of two adds that the recognition “mitigates the blow” of being so removed from family for work.

“My wife and children moved back to Australia at the end of 2019 and thanks to COVID I saw them for a total of 12 weeks in 2021. It was really tough for all of us and sometimes I wondered if I was doing the right thing. ”Thing.

“I know there is no substitute for family time, but it mitigates the blow to know that I will soon be able to tell my kids, ‘Daddy has an award from the Queen’.”

In total, the Honors List has recognized more than 1,200 people in the UK this year, including academics, actors, politicians, Olympic athletes and people who raise funds for charities.

Craig, who made his last appearance as 007 on the blockbuster No time to die, was named Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George for his contributions to film and theater – the same honor bestowed on the fictional Bond.

The title is often given to diplomats, and Bond has been described for holding it in the film franchise and in Ian Fleming’s books.

Meanwhile, 007 film producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have both been named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for contributions to film, drama, philanthropy and skill.

Elsewhere in the entertainment industry, veteran actresses Vanessa Redgrave and Joanna Lumley were made ladies.

“It was an extraordinary shock,” said Lumley BBC News of honor for services to acting, entertainment and charity.

“I put my head in my hands and sobbed like a baby.”

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, known as Mel B, was recognized for her work with the Women’s Aid domestic violence charity.

Media personality Kate Garraway was recognized for services to broadcasting, journalism and charity after tapping her husband’s intense fight against COVID-19.

In sport, the 19-year-old US Open champion Raducanu becomes an MBE or a member of the Order of the British Empire.

“This year has been full of amazing surprises for me, so ending 2021 with this appointment is very special,” said Raducanu.

Other athletes to be recognized were Olympic cycling champion Jason Kenny and his wife Laura, diver Tom Daley, and swimmer Adam Peaty.

British monarchs have bestowed honors under orders of knighthood since the Middle Ages. Nowadays, nominations are submitted to the government cabinet office and scrutinized by a committee before being sent to the Prime Minister and Queen for approval.

Queen Elizabeth named former Prime Minister Tony Blair Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and highest-ranking British knightly order.

The accolade bestowed on Blair, who served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, was separated from the main list because it was decided by the Queen and made without a governing council.

Her Majesty also appointed two more to the Order of the Garter: Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Baroness Valerie Amos, a Labor member of the House of Lords, who is the first black person to be called to the Order.