People Think Ainsley Harriott Was Awarded MBE For Iconic Viral Moment

There are few chefs who are universally adored, but one of those is Ainsley Harriott; the rattler of pans, the shaker of pots, and all round lovely man.

So it should come as no surprise that he has finally received the recognition he deserves, being awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Years honours.

I know, quite how he's only just being given one is mind-boggling. The man is a legend.

But while his culinary genius is undisputed, people think there is one moment - you know which one I'm talking about - that cemented his place in Lizzie's heart when she was writing up her list of nominations... "Why, helloooo Jill!"

Watching him burst into an old lady's house and shake a frying pan in her face while bellowing her name, is a truly a magical moment.

But while it's probably not the actual reason he was given the award, it hasn't stopped people hoping.

PA

Sharing the iconic clip, one person wrote on Twitter: "Ainsley Harriott to collect his MBE by walking into Buckingham Palace wearing a chef's hat, flipping a frying pan and saying 'why helllllooooooo Liz.......!"

A second fan said: "Ainsley Harriott receives an MBE for services to pan waving in Jill's front room. Love to see it."

"Ainsley Harriott has been awarded an MBE for his services to Jill based memes... #NewYearHonours," commented a third.

While another joked: "Ainsley Harriott gets an MBE. Can't wait to seem him collect the title..."

Speaking about the 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."

Earlier today, it was announced that the government had accidentally published the addresses of those awarded in the New Years honours list.

More than 1,000 people were named in the document that was accidentally posted on the government website last night.

For a brief time, anyone who visited the site was able to download the spreadsheet with hundreds of names and home addresses. It has since been removed.

Topics: Food, TV and Film, Interesting, UK Entertainment

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom