'It's for the people of Dudley': Sir Lenny Henry's delight at knighthood

Speaking after being honoured by the Queen, Sir Lenny said: "It's just an extraordinary thing. When you're stood there waiting with the man you suddenly sober up and go 'actually this is quite a serious thing'.

He said it was a 'huge thing' for all those involved in Comic Relief and anyone who had anything to do with his progress.

"It's a wonderful honour, it's for them and the people of Dudley and my family."

The 57-year-old joked that if he ever fell in a canal while wearing his weighty medal, he would be 'going down'.

The Dudley-born comic was knighted for services to drama and charity at a ceremony at Windsor Castle and will now officially be known as Sir Lenworth - named Lenworth by his mother in tribute to the doctor who delivered him.

Asked about his future plans, the Comic Relief co-founder said: "I'm, not going anywhere. Comic Relief is here for the duration. There's a new generation of people coming up that are going to support Comic Relief and we urge them to get involved. It's a fantastic thing to do."

In its 30-year history, Comic Relief has raised £1 billion.

Sir Lenny said: "I'm one of the pointy ends of it so I've been recognised as something, but the British public will all possibly get a turn at wearing this, because they're part of this too.

"And anybody who's given me work really, anybody who's elevated me to this position. There's a huge amount of gratitude there.

"I'm very thankful."

Henry was one of several celebrities, including actor Martin Clunes, who were honoured at the event.

While Henry was knighted for his services to drama and charity, Clunes was made an OBE for services to drama, charity and the community in Dorset.

Mr Clunes said it was particularly special to have his ties with Dorset recognised: "I love living in Dorset and because it was a choice I made to live there, so I've invested my heart and soul in living there.

"To know that that registers in some way is nice."

Mr Clunes has met the Queen previously and said anyone who kept horses "knows" her.

He said: "We've spoken before and she just asked if this was for my work as the president of the British Horse society - which it isn't."

The Doc Martin actor found out about the award after receiving a "big brown envelope" marked as being from the Lord Chamberlain's Office.

He said: "I slid it across to my wife because I thought it might be a speeding fine. Luckily it wasn't."

Mr Clunes joked that he would love to find an event where he could wear his medal "legitimately, without looking like a show off".

He said: "If I'm feeling sad or scared I might put my medal on at home and feel a bit better."

Sir Lenny has previously expressed concern over the low number of black, Asian and minority ethnic working in creative industries and said he hopes his production company, Douglas Road, will be able to encourage diversity in the television industry.

He said: "We're at the beginning of the journey, we're not at the end. There's a long way to go."

He added: "Perhaps we've made progress as far as on-screen representation is concerned, but there's a lot of work to be done in the furthering of diversity behind the camera.

"It's happening. I believe we're pushing against the open door. It's just that people need to be encouraged to work a bit faster."

Asked for his advice for any aspiring comedians or actors, Sir Lenny said: "I would say never give up. Never, ever give up."

He added: "This was not on the cards for me. I'm a working-class kid from Dudley.

"I was born in very lowly circumstances so for me to be here is a huge honour and completely unimaginable."

O'Brien was made a dame and Winckless was made an MBE for services to sport and young people.

Winckless won a bronze medal in double sculls with her partner Elise Laverick at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and is also a double world champion.