Terry Pratchett knighted for services to literature

Arise, Sir Discworld

Terry Pratchett has admitted he's "flabbergasted" to be awarded a knighthood for services to literature in the New Year Honours list.

The 60-year-old Discworld scribe told the BBC: "There are times when phrases such as 'totally astonished' just don't do the job. I am of course delighted and honoured and, needless to say, flabbergasted."

Sir Terry was last year diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, describing the news as "an embuggerance". He subsequently donated £500,000 to the UK's Alzheimer's Research Trust, and the campagining organisation's chief exec, Rebecca Wood, said today: “Terry promised to ‘scream and harangue’ about dementia research. He did much more than that: he became a voice for the 700,000 people in the UK who live with dementia but cannot shout so loudly. Dementia research is still vastly under-funded, but this is changing thanks to Terry’s incredible work.”

Neil Hunt of the Alzheimer's Society chipped in with: "I would like to congratulate Terry on this fantastic and well-deserved achievement. Terry is not only a successful author and well-loved public figure; he is also playing a key role in fighting the misunderstanding and stigma surrounding dementia."

Another notable on Her Maj's roll of honour is Led Zep frontman Robert Plant, who can now add CBE to his name. The Beeb has more laureates here. ®