GONG AWAY; EXCLUSIVE Queen's honours letter went to Olympic star Chris Hoy's old house.

Byline: By GRAEME LENNOX

CYCLING hero Chris Hoy was kept in the dark about his knighthood for two weeks - after his letter from the Queen was sent to the wrong address.

Scotland's greatest Olympian had no idea he was to become a Sir in the New Year honours list after notification went to his old flat in Edinburgh instead of his new home in Manchester.

His mum Carol - also awarded an MBE for services to healthcare - said: "Chris' letter was sent to his old place and he eventually found out about his knighthood two weeks later. When I received my honour he was delighted."

Carol initially thought palace officials had blundered when she received her letter about her gong.

She said: "A letter addressed to C. Hoy came six weeks ago. I didn't havemy specs on so opened it and saw it was about an MBE.

"I thought I had opened Chris's mail and there was a mistake because he already won anMBE in 2005.

"I put my specs on and checked but had to read it six times before I believed it.

Chris's knighthood caps an incredible year. He won three gold medals in Beijing and was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Chris, 32, said: "I was as delighted with my mum getting her MBE as I was withmy knighthood.

"It's an amazing way to start the year and a tremendous boost for everyone."

Three generations of the Olympian's family have now been honoured.

Carol's mum Isa Reid, who died in 1998, was awarded anMBE in 1989 for her work with the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Carol, 61, said: "My mother would have been very proud. I went to Buckingham Palace when she was awarded the MBE.

"We went to The Ritz for lunch and spent the rest of the year paying for it."

Carol was a specialist nurse at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary's department of sleep medicine before retiring last November after a 43-year career.

She was the youngest ever sister at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and later became the UK's most experienced sleep nurse.

She said: "I loved being a nurse and Chris loves cycling. It's amazing to earn a living doing something you love.

"It would be fantastic to go to the palace with Chris and would mean I only have to buy one outfit."

Carol also revealed the Hoys spent a relaxing Christmas at her daughter Carrie's home in Northamptonshire celebrating the birth of her daughter.

She added: "Chris always trains for a few hours on Christmas Day but it's nothing to do with dedication - he just doesn't want to help with the veg or set the table."

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CAPTION(S):

That's my Hoy: Chris and mum Carol; Joy: Gran Isa receives MBE in 1989