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Ian Botham to be knighted, English newspaper reports
ARISE SIR BEEFY:
The legendary England cricketer looks set for a trip to Buckingham Palace as a reward for his outstanding charity work
AFP
, LONDON
Sunday, May 27, 2007, Page 24
Former England cricketer Ian Botham is to be knighted for his charity work, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported yesterday.
Botham, England's most famous all-rounder, played from 1977 to 1989, notching up 5200 runs and 383 wickets, and is best known for his barnstorming performances in the 1981 Ashes series against Australia.
top award
But it is his charity walks for children with cancer which have earned him the top award, presented by Queen Elizabeth II, the Mirror said.
The star has raised some ?10 million (US$19.8 million) in 11 lengthy treks which have taken him around Britain and across the Alps.
"His selfless charity work is out of this world," an unnamed civil service source told the Mirror. "No-one, absolutely no-one, deserves an honor more than him."
Botham the lower OBE (Order of the British Empire) honor from the queen in 1992.
birthday honors
His knighthood is set to be announced in the queen's birthday honors list on June 16, the paper reported.
Botham still one of Britain's best-loved sportsmen, not least because of his colorful past -- he was once briefly suspended from the England team for smoking cannabis.
Since hanging up his pads, he has had a regular slot on a popular television sports quiz show, appeared in Christmas pantomimes and commentated on cricket for Sky Sports television.
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