Maybe it is for services to Rugby Union .... He's been putting people off terrestrial televised League coverage for years.

Very knowledgeable, Ray. I enjoy his commentaries even today, though many think he is past his sell-by date. Well deserved.

i did just actually spit my beer all over my laptop

Well deserved, never mind the commentary side ( will never please everyone there) yet an award for a fine unasumming man, who has given an much to the game in both codes.

"And Roy French, the 6'4'' former schoolteacher, steps up to collect his KBE from King Elizabeth"

Maybe not. French is far more worthy of a gong than the vast majority of those getting awards considering the efforts he has put in for sport (even though he is a terrible commentator). Far more worthy than say Mike Catt, a mediocre player notable mainly for not being able to rise to the level of a minor speed bump when facing Lomu. He is getting a similar award - why?

Why do people think he is such a bad commentator? I actually enjoy listening to him.

Seeing that Footie Ref Howard Webb got one,then why not Ray,,Congratulations Ray,well deserved..

He has a great knowledge and love for the sport let us all congratulate him and not mock, as a sport we dont get enough recognition , Mike Catt why? what has he done, achieved? we would all like to be payed for playing a sport, for me you have to go beyond that with charitable or voluntary work to deserve an award. Johnny Whiteley i believe got a MBE, should have been Sir Johnny Whiteley with the work he has put in over many a decade.

Me too. In my opinion he's up there with the legends of sports commentary - Murray Walker, Bill McLaren, Ted Lowe, Peter O'Sullevan, etc.

Hearing his voice reminds me of watching Grandstand back in the 80's and 90's. Happy days!

And how typical of some rugby league fans on here to take the negative approach and seek to rubbish everything connected with the game.

Well done, Ray.

rlSo he wasrl

I'm not a fan of his commenting but no one can doubt his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game. His journalism is also high quality. He occasionally veers into too much nostalgia but generally has progressive views about the game.

Its hard not to like the guy!

The 6'2" 73 year old from thatto heath moves to first reciever..he's a big lump of a lad.....he's going for the line..but no....kneels under the queens swinging arm....ooooo was that sword just a bit high...Jonathon

Ray...it was on the shoulder..its OK

Should have been a KBE. Much deserved!

Given that a great many nominations for these awards come from memebers of the general public, via an application form downloadable from the Cabinet Office, perhaps we should disallow posts to the effect of 'they should have got one etc.' unless you've actually bothered to send a nomination form in ?

Ray French is one of the reasons the game can't get out of Yorkshire and Lancashire. An absolute dinosaur of a human, shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the game. That he is allowed, highlights why the game is largely irrelevant.