Ainsley Harriott has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Honours List.
However, while the TV chef has been recognised for his services to broadcasting and to the culinary arts, many people believe he should also be receiving the award for services to viral internet moments.
Ainsley became an internet sensation last year after an appearance on This Morning, which saw him surprising an elderly woman at her home with the announcement of: “Why, helloooo Jill…!”
The pensioner’s children had surprised her for Mother’s Day by having Alison Hammond and the This Morning team show up at her home live on air, but the proceedings quickly took a surreal turn.
Seated next to Alison on the sofa, Jill looked somewhat overwhelmed as she watched two men carry an enormous TV into her living room, before the presenter revealed Ainsley was arriving to cook her a “treat dish” for breakfast, at which point the TV chef tip-toed in, waving a frying pan and uttering the immortal line: “Why, helloooo Jill...!”
With the moment still fresh in people’s minds. the announcement that Ainsley was to receive an MBE had many people on Twitter making the same joke...
Of receiving his honour, Ainsley said: “When I was first told about it, I immediately thought about my dear late mum – which really choked me up, because I know how proud she would have been, her boy’s proud too – it’s a great honour for me and for everyone who has helped me on my way.”
Ainsley worked as head chef at the Long Room at Lord’s cricket ground before getting his big break in TV as the resident chef of BBC One daytime show Good Morning With Anne And Nick.
He went on to become a favourite among viewers thanks to shows including Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook and Ready Steady Cook, and also enjoyed a stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.
Ainsley is one of several celebrities who have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain, naturalist Steve Backshall, Hamilton star Giles Terra and TV stylist Gok Wan have all received MBEs.
TV wine specialist Oz Clarke, Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody and Queen drummer Roger Taylor have been made OBEs.
Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight have received CBEs.
Kids TV presenter Floella Benjamin and Grease star Olivia Newton-John have both been made Dames, while film-makers Steve McQueen and Sam Mendes have been given knighthoods.
Sir Elton John, who was knighted for services to music and charitable services in 1998, received the highest accolade as he was awarded the Companion of Honour.
Now, let’s celebrate Ainsley’s MBE by reminding ourselves of his “Why, hellooo Jill...!” moment below...