CINDERFORD's veteran golden-voiced radio DJ Jimmy Young, 80, popular across the nation for his 'prog' The Jimmy Young Show, has been knighted in the New Year's honours.
Dedicating his 'gong' to his five million listeners the evergreen star, whose family ran a Cinderford bakers business, said he was "deeply honoured and most grateful".
Jimmy Young's radio show followed an earlier life as a pop crooner, with hits which included Unchained Melody, The Man from Laramie, and They Tried to Tell Us We're Too Young.
His mother played the organ in the Baptist Chapel which perhaps inspired his musical career.
His radio programme, a mixture of disc-spinning, chat show and talkback, has drawn a massive audience for upwards of 30 years, making him one of the most enduring radio hosts of his generation.
Margaret Thatcher was a great fan – she graced his show no fewer than 14 times, and he has also interviewed all of Britain's leaders since Harold Macmillan.
"Jim" as he is widely known struck a chord particularly with the nation's housewives and politicians consequently saw an interview with him as especially important.
"It is obviously a great honour for him and for the town," said Cinderford Mayor Lloyd Wilce, who on Monday was filmed by BBC television for background on Jim's life.
"He came back here for his mother's funeral, and he also came here to open a carnival at the Triangle – but that's about 25 years ago now."
•Sir Ronald Gough Waterhouse of Ross on Wye received a GBE for public service in the honours list.