Sports presenter Gabby Logan, singer Eve Graham and former football boss Ann Budge included in New Year's Honour List
TV presenter Gabby Logan, Scots singer Eve Graham and former football club chairman Ann Budge are among those recognised in the King's New Year's Honours list.
TV presenter Gabby Logan, Scots singer Eve Graham and former football club chairman Ann Budge are among those recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours list.
Scottish-Canadian businessman Fergus McCann – fondly known as the ‘man who saved Celtic’ after he prevented the Parkhead club from going bust in the 1990s has also been made a CBE in recognition of his services to the economy and charity.
And Scotland’s top police officer Jo Farrell has been awarded the King’s Police Medal in recognition of her significant contribution to policing.
The gong comes just months after the Mail revealed that Police Scotland’s chief constable claimed more than £130,000 of taxpayers’ cash to help her buy a second home north of the Border.
They join a host of famous names including ice dancing legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean and actor Warwick Davis on this year’s list.
Ms Logan, who is married to former Scotland rugby international player Kenny, has been made an OBE for her services to sports broadcasting and to charity.
The former international gymnast was announced as the new co-host of Match of the Day football show earlier this year and only this month [Dec] was made an ambassador for Bloomsbury Football Association.
As part of her role, the 52-year-old will be supporting the charity’s aim of engaging 20,000 more young people in football by 2028, with at least 10,000 of them girls.
Gabby Logan, with husband Kenny, is included in the New Year's Honours list
Ann Budge recently stepped down as Hearts chairman after more than 11 years
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has been awarded the King’s Police Medal in recognition of her significant contribution to policing
She said she was ‘absolutely stunned, utterly delighted and humbled’ by the honour.
She told the Mail: ‘I have been so fortunate to work in sports broadcasting for three decades and at a time of huge change regarding women’s sport.
‘For women of my generation who love sport it is brilliant and heartwarming to see young girls on Saturday and Sunday mornings heading into football and rugby clubs around the country to play sport with their friends, scenes that were unimaginable to me as a child.’
She added that the success of the Lionesses and the Red Roses this year was ‘the icing on the cake’ and the huge audiences that witnessed both triumphs ‘only further enhances the profile and popularity of women’s sport’.
Ms Logan said: ‘I am also delighted that my award is also for charity, as this platform enables me to talk about the incredible work carried out by the charities I spend time with, in particular Muscular Dystrophy UK and the work of the My Name’s Doddie Foundation for MND.