What do you mean "sent his back"? Didn't think he had ever received one. If you mean he was offered one and declined, why not say so?

How well he sings is beside the point. Eliza & Martin & Norma & Shirley weren't honoured just for singing well, you know.

Have often wondered why the folk conferred a peerage on Sir John Franklin; but that's the folk process for you.

~M~