Can you honestly say that if you, as a performing musician, were nominated for an award, you wouldn't go along? For the free booze, if nothing else?

I suppose it's a bit too easy and glib to say "No" to that question but, as far as I can tell, "No".

I feel the same way about the honours system - and always have done - because the principle objection is the same in both cases: there are hundreds of people out there who do good works for good causes, and a chosen handful get nominated for an MBE or an award or whatever. Why? By chance and fortune, but not necessarily by merit that is so much greater than that of many other, unknown people.

And don't get me started on civil servants who automatically get a:

1. CMG - Call Me God
2. KCMG - Kindly Call Me God
3. GCMG - God Calls Me God

Bah! Humbug!