December 29, 2007 14:51

Kylie honoured by The Queen

Pop princess to be awarded OBE

Kylie Minogue has been awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours List.

The Australian singer said she was "deeply touched" to be given the award - standing for Officer of the British Empire.

Speaking from her family home in Melbourne, Minogue said she was "almost as surprised as I am honoured," according to the BBC.

The establishment honour comes at the end of a year which has seen Kylie come back from her breast cancer ordeal with her tenth studio album, 'X', two television specials, her own perfume, and a starring role in the Doctor Who Christmas episode.

Next month will mark 20 years since her first single 'I Should Be So Lucky' topped the chart.

She continued: "I feel deeply touched to be acknowledged by the UK, my adopted home, in this way. This last year I have felt so much love and support from everyone as I took greater steps back into the public domain, and it is with absolute gratitude and joy that I say farewell to 2007 and look forward to what the new year will bring."

[a]Soul II Soul[/] pioneer Jazzie B also receives the OBE. He told BBC 1Xtra: "Hopefully it's a little bit of a sign for anybody else that things can happen - it's just a case of staying strong and believing in yourself.

Jethro Tull singer Ian Anderson and Martin Mills, founder of the Beggars Group of labels, both receive MBEs.