Adam Hills has received an MBE in the New Year Honours list.
Accepting the award for his services to Paralympic sport and disability awareness, the co-presenter of C4's The Last Leg, joked that he didn't even realise that Australians could receive the honour. He had not told his family in case it was a prank.
He said: "“I am absolutely chuffed to bits to be given this honour. I’ve already googled ‘Australian comedians who have received honours’, ‘when can I start writing MBE after my name?’ and ‘are Australians even eligible for an MBE?’.
“Turns out the answers are ‘Barry Humphries and Clive James’, ‘when you receive the medal’ and ‘yes’.
Hills posted a picture of himself on the beach and added on Instagram: "I ended 2021 as a Man of Beach Enjoyment. I started 2022 as a Member of the Order of the British Empire. I’m chuffed to bits to be awarded an MBE and wouldn’t have achieved it without the support of my friends, family, colleagues and teammates. I’m especially honoured to be recognised for Services to Paralympic Sport and Disability Awareness. I will continue to shout about both as loudly as I can (with a sign interpreter for those that need it). Here’s hoping for a wonderful year ahead for us all.
