Newcastle striker Alan Shearer today received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

In a glittering career which has saw him captain his country and win the Premiership with Blackburn Rovers, Shearer returned to the norh-east in 1996 for a then British record £15m.

The 30-year-old last year bid farewell to the international game after captaining England in the 2000 European Championships.

After hearing the news Shearer said: "In the past year I have captained the England football team, watched my son being born, and now I have been awarded this honour by the Queen. I realise I am a very fortunate man."

Honours also went to motor racing legend Jackie Stewart, who was awarded a knighthood, whilst John Charles received recognition for his contribution to football with a CBE and BBC Match of the Day commentator John Motson was awarded an OBE.

There are also MBEs for round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur, and former Wimbledon favourite Christine Janes, better known as Christine Trueman.