DJ Pete Tong was awarded an MBE for his services to music and broadcasting yesterday (04.03.14).
The Radio 1 star, who has also launched a record label and mobile disco, was handed the award by Britain’s Prince William at Buckingham Palace after being named on the New Years Honours List.
The 53-year-old DJ and producer said: ‘I’ve been standing here for a few hours waiting to do this and still have to pinch myself – I’ve spent my career doing something I love, playing records.
"There are so many worthy people here today, I feel quite humbled by all the servicemen, policemen and the charity workers and people like that. So I count myself lucky to be recognised in this way."
The star, who relocated to Los Angeles from the UK last year, also joked about his name being passed into the English language as rhyming slang for "wrong" with the phrase "it’s all gone Pete Tong".
He said a fanzine first came up with it "as an affectionate slap around the head" but said, "it just stuck and turned into an amazing legacy. I’ve never had a problem with it."
The phrase was also the title of 2004 comedy film about DJ Frankie Wilde, played by Paul Kaye, who is big on the Ibiza club scene and realises he is becoming deaf.
According to the BBC, Pete added: "The movie obviously was great fun – why run away from something that’s so catchy so I use it as my brand really when I do parties around the world."
Pete began his career at a Kent radio station and was given his own dance on Radio 1 in 1991, the Essential Selection, which has seen him become one of the world’s most in-demand DJs.
DJ Pete Tong handed MBE by Prince William
