Sporting hero Sebastian Coe added to his considerable haul of medals this week when he was knighted by the Queen. The former Tory MP, who spearheaded London's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics, is already a life peer.
During his illustrious running career Lord Coe twice won Olympic gold medals at the 1,500 metres, as well as taking silver for the 800 metres event at the Los Angeles and Moscow games. The former athlete was accompanied to Wednesday's ceremony at Buckingham Palace by his children Peter, nine, 11-year-old Harry, and Maddy, who's 13.
Asked whether he prefers to be known as Sir Seb or Lord Coe, the father-of-three replied modestly: "Seb is just fine."
Meanwhile comic actor Sanjeev Bhaskar was honoured with an OBE. At the investiture the monarch told him: "Keep making us laugh".
True to form the Goodness Gracious Me star couldn't help wisecracking as he and his actress wife Meera Syal posed outside the Palace. "As an Asian bloke, it's another thing I can stick on eBay," he joked. "I'll do it tomorrow morning. You can look it up. I'll sign it, of course."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
