The arts: Iannucci gets an OBE – but what would Malcolm Tucker say?

While many in the entertainment industry talked of their thrill over receiving recognition in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, Armando Iannucci warned it would not prevent him from lampooning the Government.

Following news of his OBE for services to broadcasting, the creator of The Thick of It, a programme that mercilessly satirises Westminster, said: "I just hope it's not an attempt by the Government to stop me, because that's not going to happen."

The 48-year-old Scot, who has worked in British comedy for more than 20 years, added: "The honour is working with lots of performers and writers, so I did feel a bit guilty." He has worked with comedians including Steve Coogan and Chris Morris, and has hit the US with another political satire, Veep.

Jean Marsh, appointed OBE, who created and starred in Upstairs, Downstairs, said she had received awards including an Emmy before but "to have an official thing like this, I was thrilled".

The 77-year-old actress, who recently returned to the role of Rose Buck for the BBC's three-part revival, said she had initially ignored the letter because "it looked like a parking ticket". Amanda Redman, who starred in New Tricks and set up the Artists Theatre School in 1994, was appointed MBE.

Actor and playwright Kwame Kewi-Armah said his OBE "may have validated much of the pain, suffering and self sacrifice" his parents went through after they came to the UK from the West Indies to give their children "the immigrant's dream".

The artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Michael Boyd, was knighted, for his services to drama, as was Scottish opera director David McVicar for services to opera.

The Woman in Black this year became the most successful ever British horror film, and Susan Hill, the writer of the original novel, was appointed CBE. She said she had "caught up" with her husband Stanley Wells, a Shakespeare scholar, who received the honour five years ago. Other recipients include the choir master Gareth Malone, who was appointed OBE, and the musician Richard Stilgoe, who was knighted.

Scottish comic book writer Grant Morrison, has written for titles including 2000 AD, Superman and Batman, was appointed MBE, as was the soul singer Omar who said he was "chuffed to bits", adding: "I still don't quite believe it."