CBE for Beyond The Fringe star

Dudley Moore has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's birthday honours.

The 66-year-old performer, who is battling against the debilitating progressive supranuclear palsy, was honoured for his life's contribution to comedy.

And, despite his condition, he vowed to cross the Atlantic to collect his gong from Buckingham Palace inthe autumn.

"I am very grateful to receive this award and this recognition of my work,'' he said. ''I shall look forward to meeting the Queen so that I can thank her personally.''

His personal life - including four often turbulent marriages - has often overshadowed his work.

Born in Dagenham, Essex, with club foot, the diminutive star was one of th groundbreaking Beyond The Fringe show, alongside Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller and Alan Bennett.

From that, a partnership with Cook evolved - resulting in the foul-mouthed Derek and Clive exchanges, as well as the Not Only, But Also TV shows.

But he left Cook for Hollywood, where he became a millionaire, thanks to such hits as 10 and Arthur.

Published: 16 Jun 2001