Rolf Harris receives Australian honour from The Queen

Published Jun 12 2012, 16:45 BST  |  By Daniel Sperling

Rolf Harris is to be awarded one of Australia's highest honours by The Queen.

The 82-year-old has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for his service to performing and visual arts, his charity work and for promoting the culture of his native country.



Harris, who has achieved success as a musician, painter and television personality, told Australian press that he is "thrilled to bits" with the "huge honour".

"Although I love the UK, I still think of myself as an Australian," he said. "My Mum and Dad would have been bursting with pride if they were here today.

"This year has been an amazing year for me and it's just getting better and better."

The Order of Australia is equivalent to the UK's OBE, which Harris received in 1977. He was made an MBE nine years prior and advanced to a CBE in 2006.

Harris made an appearance at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert last week, where he was controversially cut-off by comedian Lenny Henry part-way through a rendition of 'Two Little Boys'.

Harris was previously honoured with an Academy Fellowship at this year's British Academy Television Awards in May.

Photo gallery - Rolf Harris in pictures: