Jonathan Ross bags broadcasting honour

Jonathan Ross is to be presented with a Music Industry Trusts' award, it was announced today.

The controversial radio and TV host will receive the gong at an event in November "in recognition of services to music broadcasting".

More than 1,000 guests will attend the annual charity dinner in aid of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the Brit Trust.

Organisers said Ross has been a steadfast supporter of the UK music industry since his Channel 4 TV debut in 1987 with The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross.

BBC1's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and his BBC Radio 2 show have provided "hugely influential" exposure for new artists, as well as being a key target for established musicians from both the UK and abroad, they said.

Ross said: "This is an incredible honour from an industry that I have always loved: music has always played a large part in my life and it's been a privilege to not only present most of my musical heroes but to give a leg up to the next generation."

Ross, who was involved in the scandal over prank calls to Andrew Sachs along with Russell Brand, joins a select group of Music Industry Trusts' honourees, including Sir Michael Parkinson.

The award is in its 18th year.