GORDON Ramsay, the celebrity chef who is almost as renowned for his colourful language and fiery temper as he is for the award-winning dishes he creates, is to receive an OBE in the New Year Honours list.
The Glasgow-born former footballer said he was "humbled and delighted" to receive the honour, which is in recognition of his services to the hospitality industry.
Ramsay, 39, is one of several high- profile Scots to be recognised in the awards li
st.
Among the others to receive awards are the actor Robbie Coltrane, top businessman Bill Gammell, and singers Eddi Reader and Karen Matheson.
Ramsay has risen to national prominence thanks to hit television shows such as Hell's Kitchen, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and The F-Word.
But it was thanks to his success as a restaurateur that he first made a name for himself.
Released by Rangers after failing to make it into the first team, he turned to cooking and after catering college worked under the likes of Marco Pierre White and Albert Roux.
By 1993, Ramsay was head chef of the newly-opened Aubergine restaurant in London and within three years he had been awarded two Michelin stars.
After an argument with the restaurant's backers, he opened his own restaurant in Chelsea, called Gordon Ramsay.
The establishment was a huge success and became London's only three-starred Michelin restaurant.
His restaurants today include Petrus, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, The Berkeley and The Connaught, while his media career continues to go from success to success.
Yesterday, he spoke of his delight that his efforts had been recognised by the Queen - but also paid tribute to those who work alongside him.
He said: "I'm humbled and delighted to accept this honour, which is the most wonderful way to round off an extraordinary year.
"I feel that this recognition is as much for my team as it is for me.
"I'm lucky enough to work with the most amazing people whose hard work and dedication is an endless source of inspiration to me."
Coltrane, 55, is to receive an OBE for his services to drama.
The doctor's son from Rutherglen made his stage debut at the age of 12 and is perhaps best known nowadays for his role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies.
However, it was his portrayal of the troubled criminal psychologist Fitz in the acclaimed drama Cracker that made him a star.
He won three consecutive BAFTAs for his performances.
Since then he has also appeared in the James Bond films Goldeneye and The World is Not Enough.
Coltrane, who has a son and a daughter, yesterday said he was "absolutely delighted" at being awarded the OBE.
Matheson, the lead singer of the Celtic group Capercaillie, receives an OBE for her services to music.
Sir Sean Connery once described Matheson, from Taynuilt, Argyll, as having "a throat surely touched by the hand of God".
Yesterday the 42-year-old insisted she was accepting the award on behalf of her band and Celtic music as a whole. "It recognises our contribution to Celtic music," she said.
"I'm the figurehead of the band and Celtic music as a whole so they've given it to me.
"Our profile has been quite high over the last few years, so it's recognition for what we've done for Celtic culture, and that's kind of nice.
"Anything that gives a platform for this kind of music and helps raise its profile is a positive thing."
Glasgow-based Reader, the former lead singer with Fairground Attraction, receives an MBE for her services to music. The band scored a number one hit in 1988 with Perfect and Reader, 46, has gone on to enjoy a successful solo career.
Mr Gammell, 53, is one of three Scots to rewarded with a knighthood. Scotland's best-connected oilman - he went to Fettes College with Tony Blair and is a close friend of George W Bush - saw his firm Cairn Energy rocket in value after an oil discovery in India two years ago.
Mr Gammell, who was born and brought up in Edinburgh and also won five international rugby caps, said: "I am delighted to receive this honour for services to industry in Scotland.
"This is not only a great personal honour but recognition of the strong and creative global teamwork of all at Cairn Energy over many years."
The other Scots to be knighted are Olympic administrator Craig Reedie, who helped London win the bid to host the 2012 games, and Professor Graham Teasdale, president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, for services to neurosurgery and the victims of head injuries.
Other Scots to receive awards include Kim Winser, the woman credited with turning around the fortunes of ailing knitwear firm Pringle, who is awarded an OBE, actress Una McLean who is awarded an MBE, and entrepreneur Derek Douglas, who receives a CBE in recognition of work with the Maggie's Centre cancer charity.
The full article contains 853 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
