Pete Tong 'proud' to be honoured with MBE

The DJ was awarded the honour for his services to music and broadcasting

DJ and radio host Pete Tong has been awarded an MBE for his services to music and broadcasting (Getty Images)

It hasn't all gone Pete Tong for the well-known British dance DJ.

The radio host has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List for his services to music and broadcasting.

Pete Tong, 53, said he was “proud” to receive the honour, adding he thought it was a prank when he first received the news by phone.

“I thought someone was joking when I first got the phone call,” he told the BBC. “It’s an amazing, amazing thing. I’m very happy, I’m proud for my Mum actually, and what it means to her.”

In a statement, he thanked BBC Radio 1 and various club promoters he has worked with during his career.

He said: “I’d like to thank BBC 1 for it unerrring commitment to dance and electronic music and for supporting and encouraging me for over two decades.

“I’d like to thank all the club promoters in the UK and around the world for their passion and commitment to putting on amazing events and the artists, producers and DJs that have been making and innovating with the music.”

Tong, originally from Dartford, began DJing as a teenager and set up club nights around Kent.

He found fame hosting the dance and electronic music show “Essential Selection” on BBC Radio in 1991, and continues to have a Friday night show on the station.

From 2003 to 2007, Tong served as the resident DJ at Ibiza nightclub Pacha. He announced his return to the club in 2011 with his night “It’s All Gone Pete Tong”, named after the 2004 film in which he briefly appeared in.

More recently, the DJ has helped launch a dance and house show in the US on iHeartRadio’s Evolution station.