December 29, 2012 11:48

Kate Bush says she's 'deeply honoured' after receiving CBE in Queen's New Year honours

Bradley Wiggins is also knighted...

Photo: PA

Kate Bush has said she is "deeply honoured" after being awarded a CBE in the Queen's New Years Honours list.

The singer, who released the 10th studio album of her celebrated career '50 Words For Snow' in 2011, was given the accolade for her services to music.

Bush shot to fame in 1978 when her single 'Wuthering Heights' hit Number One in the UK Singles Chart and has since gone on to release a slew of classic albums including 'The Kick Inside', 'Hounds Of Love', 'The Red Shoes', 'The Sensual World' and 'Aerial'.

Although her output was prolific in the late 70s and throughout the rest of the 80s, she spent a large time out of the public eye with a 12-year gap between 1993's 'Red Shoes' and 2005's 'Aerial'. She then took another six-year break before releasing two albums - '50 Words For Snow' and 'Director's Cut' - in 2011.

Speaking about the accolade, she said:

It's a great surprise and I'm really delighted. Thanks to everyone who's encouraged and supported my work over the years.

Elsewhere on the list, meanwhile, cycling champion Bradley Wiggins was awarded a knighthood after winning the Tour de France and Olympic gold in 2012. Wiggins has become well known for his Mod style and love of indie music. A few days after his Olympics victory, Wiggins and fellow gold medallist Jessica Ennis turned out for a surprise London show by The Stone Roses, while he recently revealed that he gave guitarist John Squire a signed Tour de France jersey before one of the band's reunion gigs this summer.

Other noted figures in the arts and entertainment industry to be included on the New Year's Honours list include illustrator Quentin Blake, actor Ewan McGregor and artist Tracy Emin.

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