Veteran broadcaster Stuart Hall has been named in the New Year Honours list.
The Wilmslow-based TV presenter and commentator has been appointed OBE for his services to broadcasting and charity.
Stuart Hall, who has lived in Wilmslow for 32 years, told me "Obviously I am delighted, it is very nice to be recognised for my career in broadcasting which spans 50 years and also the money I have raised for charity.
"I have worked very hard for charity, raising money for 52 years, once I raised a million dollars in 40 minutes when I auctioned Ian Woosnam's golf bag in Barbados. I came home with a cheque for £25,000 for one of my charities, Francis House."
Stuart Hall has raised money for numerous charities over the years, including the NSPCC, Cancer Research, The Christie and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, as well as supporting charities for the blind and boy scouts.
Speaking about his OBE, the former presenter of It's A Knockout, said "It came as a surprise, there have been rumours over the years but this came out of the blue from the Cabinet Office. I am delighted and my family are delighted, especially my grandchildren who think it's really special."
Hall, who has a strong fan base around the world, celebrated with a glass of champagne at home with his family and then spent most of New Year's Day doing radio and TV interviews.
Having celebrated his 82nd birthday on Christmas Day, Stuart Hall told me he has no plans to retire, saying "I am going to be as busy as ever. I have four programmes coming out this year as Apps and I have a couple of magazines I run with Bill Roache. I have all sorts in the bag.
"I am going to be as busy as hell, I want to be busy. As long as I can think clearly and can stay on my feet then I can be gainfully employed."
Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Stuart Hall joined the BBC in 1959. Between 1965 and 1990 he presented the BBC's regional news programmes for the North West and he has a weekly column in the sports section of the Radio Times.
He became particularly well-known as the presenter of It's a Knockout in the 1970s and early 80s and he still works as a football reporter for BBC Radio 5 Live.
Photo: 5 Live Publicity.
