Hudd picks up his OBE

Roy Hudd picked up his OBE from Buckingham Palace today, and teased the Queen about the Royal Variety Performance.

She replied to his banter: "Oh yes, we sometimes look forward to that."

Hudd, 67, said: "I'm sure she must hate having to sit through some of the shows.

"I was chairman of the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund for 11 years and had a lot to do with inflicting them on her."

He said his day at the palace was "a great thrill".

"The Queen is such an old hand and so professional," he said. "She'd make a superb Butlins Red Coat."

Hudd was awarded the honour for his services to entertainment.

Published: 18 Feb 2004