“Poirot” star, golfer McDowell awarded UK honours

LONDON, (Reuters) – Actor David Suchet, famous for  his television role as detective Hercule Poirot, singer Annie  Lennox and U.S. Open golf champion Graeme McDowell were among  those honoured by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth today.
Top business figures granted awards included Roger Carr, the  former chairman of British chocolate maker Cadbury Plc whose  takeover by U.S. food group Kraft <KFT.N> this year provoked  strong feelings in Britain.
Suchet, best known for playing Agatha Christie’s fictional  Belgian detective in the long-running British TV series  “Poirot”, was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British  Empire) in the first new year’s honours list submitted to the  queen by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron.

David Suchet
David Suchet

Actress Sheila Hancock, who has appeared in films such as  “Take a girl like you” and “The boy in the striped pyjamas” as  well as starring regularly on British stage and television,  becomes a CBE while television, film and stage actress Harriet  Walter was made a dame.
Northern Ireland’s McDowell, who won his first major title  at the U.S. Open in June and secured the winning point for  Europe at the Ryder Cup in Wales in October, was made an MBE  (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
Lennox, the former Eurythmics star who set up a campaign to  raise awarenes of the AIDS crisis in South Africa, was awarded  an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).
Carr, who stepped down as chairman of Cadbury after it was  taken over by Kraft this year, was knighted.
The takeover of one of Britain’s most cherished brands by a  foreign company sparked emotional reactions. British unions and  other critics said the $18 billion deal was driven by investors  seeking a quick return.
Carr, who also chairs power company Centrica Plc <CNA.L>,  complained that Cadbury shareholders who sold to Kraft were not  “long-term stewards of the business”.
British Airways <BAY.L> Chairman Martin Broughton and  Richard Lambert, the outgoing director-general of business lobby  the Confederation of British Industry, were both knighted.
Historian and author Antonia Fraser was made a dame while  fashion designer Katharine Hamnett and record producer Trevor  Horn were given CBEs.
Others honoured included artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen,  who received a CBE, former England World Cup-winning rugby  player Mike Catt, awarded an OBE, and the 2010 World Cup soccer  final referee Howard Webb, given an MBE.
Anyone can nominate someone for an award and the vast  majority of honours go to people who are making a contribution  to their community.
Recommendations go before eight honours committees and a  final list is submitted by the prime minister to the queen.