Hancock, Walter, Suchet Receive Recognition In New Year's Honours List

Sheila Hancock, star of Sister Act, has received a CBE in the New Year's Honours List.

Reacting to the honour, she said: "It is lovely, really lovely. I'm surprised how pleased I am."

Award-winning actress Harriet Walter, 60, who has appeared in scores of plays, TV dramas and films over her distinguished career, has been made a dame.

David Suchet, recently seen in London in All My Sons, has been awarded a CBE for services to drama.

Howard Goodall, 52, who wrote the music for new musical Love Story, has been given a CBE, and Herbert Kretzmer, 85, the lyricist for Les Miserables, has an OBE.