GONG BIRD KYLIE; NEW YEAR HONOURS... Aussie singer tells of her joy at OBE as royal gifts go to a host of stars.

Byline: By Lachlan Mackinnon 

AUSTRALIAN star Kylie Minogue last night revealed she was "deeply touched" after landing an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

The 39-year-old pop princess - who has battled back from breast cancer - headed a host of showbiz stars who received recognition.

They included Ian McKellen, Michael Parkinson, Julie Walters, Carry On stalwart Leslie Phillips, Richard Griffiths, Des Lynam, and George Alagiah.

An overjoyed Kylie yesterday thanked British fans for their love and support during her recovery from her illness.

Speaking from Melbourne, where she is spending Christmas with her family, she said: "I am almost as surprised as I am honoured to be awarded an OBE by the Queen.

"I feel deeply touched to be acknowledged by the UK, my adopted home, in this way.

"This last year, I have felt so much love and support from everyone as I took greater steps back into the public domain.

"It is with absolute gratitude and joy that I say farewell to 2007 and look forward to what the new year will bring."

In May 2005, Kylie shocked fans by announcing she had been diagnosed with breast cancer mid-way through her Showgirl tour.

After a year of gruelling treatment, she resumed the tour with a series of triumphant comeback shows.

And she was the guest star in the Christmas Day edition of Doctor Who opposite Scots star David Tennant.

But there was personal heartbreak as she split from French actor Olivier Martinez.

She has made a full return to the limelight with the release of a new album, X, while dates for her 2008 tour were released last month and sold out in minutes.

Parkinson, 72, whose first series of chat shows began in 1971, bowed out earlier this month.

The telly favourite, on a six-week holiday in Sydney, said before news of his knighthood broke: "If it were true, it would be marvellous and I would be delighted and honoured."

Lynam said he was thrilled with his OBE. He added: "This has been a splendid surprise and I feel truly privileged."

Lord Of The Rings star Sir Ian McKellen, 68, becomes a Companion of Honour.

He spoke of his happiness at the honour for services to drama and equality.

He said: "I am honoured to join an order which includes such distinguished practitioners in the arts.

"It is particularly pleasing that 'equality' is included in my citation."

The Oscar-nominated actor is a founder member of gay rights organisation Stonewall.

He was awarded a knighthood in 1990 and describes himself as "one of the very few openly gay knights".

In 1988, he publicly "outed" himself on BBC radio during a discussion on the Thatcher government's Section 28 legislation.

And he has since spoken out against a Hollywood system which keeps gays and lesbians in the closet.

The Order of the Companions of Honour consists of the Queen and only 65 ordinary members.

Current recipients include Lucian Freud, Harold Pinter, Sir David Hockney and Dame Judi Dench.

Harry Potter actress Walters, 56, and Phillips, 83 - who is famous for his catch-phrases "Hellooo" and "Ding dong" - both receive CBEs.

Walters is one of Britain's most versatile actresses.

Among her best-known films are Educating Rita, Billy Elliott and Calendar Girls Walters's Harry Potter co-star and History Boys actor Griffiths, 60, who made his name in TV cop show Pie In The Sky, nets an OBE, as does news anchor Alagiah, 52.

There is also an OBE for Scots film producer Iain Smith, renowned for his work on Hollywood blockbusters such as The Fifth Element.

Barbara Broccoli, who co-produced James Bond films and created the recent musical stage hit version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, also gets an OBE.

Television doctor Chris Steele receives an MBE for services to general medical practice and broadcasting.

Scots-born singer Ian Anderson, of the veteran rock band Jethro Tull, receives an MBE.

Meanwhile, influential black musician Trevor Romeo, also known as Jazzie B, frontman for the 1980s musical collective Soul II Soul, gets an OBE.

The world of sport was also a big winner in the list.

Athlete Brendan Foster, winner of the 10,000metres gold at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada, and now a BBC sports commentator, receives a CBE.

Jason Robinson, a hero of England's Rugby Union World Cup campaign, gets an OBE, while Brian Ashton, who as head coach steered England to this year's World Cup final, receives an MBE.

Senior figures in the retail trade honoured alongside Marks and Spencer's Stuart Rose included Richard Bradbury, chief executive of international fashion house River Island, who receives a CBE.

There are OBEs for Jasper Conran, whose first women's wear collection came out in 1978, and Karen Millen, founder of the fashion chain bearing her name.

An OBE in the diplomatic list goes to Derbyshire-born Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar.

A similar award goes to Eric Hill, creator of the children's book character Spot.

A knighthood goes to Nicholas Kenyon, music administrator, responsible for the BBC Proms from 1996 to 2007.

Pianist Stan Tracey, who has been described as "the godfather of British jazz" gets a CBE.

CAPTION(S):

SIR; CBE ROLE MODELS: Veteran television chat show host Michael Parkinson is to be knighted, while stage, screen and TV actress Julie Walters will receive a CBE and telly presenter Des Lynam gets an OBE; OBE; OBE; COMPANION OF HONOUR RECOGNISED: McKellen, Phillips and Steele; CBE; MBE