Lions legend Gareth's now a knight of the round ball game

GARETH Southgate has been knighted in recognition of his efforts in taking the England football team to the brink of major tournament success.

- Robert Kellaway

Sir Gareth, 54, leads a host of stars from the worlds of sport and showbusiness recognised in the New Year Honours today.

The former Three Lions manager's top gong was widely supported - with the Daily Express calling for the honour on the eve of the Euro 2024 Final in July.

Sir Gareth also led his country to the Euro 2020 final and 2018 World Cup semi-final.

The former England and Premier League star resigned in the summer after the 2-1 Euros final loss to Spain marking the end of an eight-year stint in the hotseat dubbed "the impossible job".

He was joined in getting a knighthood by a "startled and enchanted" Blackadder star and QI host Stephen Fry who was honoured for services to mental health awareness.

Since 2011, he has been president of charity Mind and supports the conservation group Fauna and Flora International, of which the Prince of Wales is patron.

Sir Stephen added: "When you are recognised it does make you feel a bit 'crikey'. The most emotional thing is when I think of my childhood, my unhappiness and misery and stupidity and everything that led to so many failures.

"For my parents, really, what a disaster. Every time the phone rang, they thought, 'Oh, God, what has Stephen done now'. It was a sort of joke in the family."

Thrilled

US-British author and broadcaster Loyd Grossman, 74, who presented MasterChef from 1990 to 2000, said he was "close to speechless" with his knighthood, while Daily Express columnist Alan Titchmarsh said he was "thrilled to bits" with a CBE.

The horticultural expert and best-selling author, 75, said that telling his wife and daughters about the honour was a "teary moment".

He added: "I've been an MBE for 25 years, so I kind of thought that was... I've been very happy with that. I'm flattered beyond belief." Alan has been a familiar face on television screens for many years, first covering the Chelsea Flower Show for the BBC in 1983.