Absolute Radio’s Frank Skinner has been awarded an MBE for services to entertainment and Jazz FM’s YolanDa Brown an OBE for services to music, music education and broadcasting, in the New Year Honours List.

Frank is an award-winning comedian and has been a presenter on Absolute Radio since 2009, kicking off the weekend from 8am every Saturday morning when he’s joined by Emily Dean for a hilarious show combining chat and real music. The Frank Skinner Show podcast was named one of the best podcasts of all-time by iTunes and is the most successful in commercial radio, and the critically acclaimed Frank Skinner Poetry Podcast this year celebrated its fifth series.

At first joking he thought there might be an “administrative error”, Frank said, “Getting anything, any kind of award is great, but this does feel special. When I was a kid, I remember the Beatles getting MBEs and to be in any group that includes the Beatles is good enough for me.”

YolanDa is a double MOBO Award winning artist, musician, broadcaster, author and philanthropist, hosting the YolanDa Brown on Saturday show on Jazz FM every weekend. She was recently appointed Chair of BPI, adding to her already long list of impressive roles, including Chair of Youth Music, member of the Arts Council National Council, trustee of the PRS Foundation, ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and London Music Fund and advisory board member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Commenting on her award, YolanDa said: “I am really honoured to receive this award. My career continues to be eclectic and doesn’t fit in a box, so I am grateful to everyone who continues to walk with me as a musician, broadcaster or campaigner for children and their access to music education. I dedicate this honour to my grandma who passed away recently and taught me faith, belief, and resilience, and also to my daughters as they fill the world with love on their journey.”

Dee Ford, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Audio UK, added: “This is such wonderful news! We love Frank and YolanDa and are so proud to have them as part of our Bauer Media Audio UK family. From behalf of everyone at Absolute Radio, Jazz FM and Bauer Media, we would all like to wish Frank and YolanDa a very big congratulations on their well-deserved new honours.”

First established by King George V in 1917, MBEs and OBEs reward contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service.

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About Absolute Radio:

Absolute Radio is a national radio station where ‘Real Music Matters’, wrapped up with lashings of personality and mischief from presenters including Frank Skinner, Jason Manford and Dave Berry who have the freedom to say what they think and tell it like it is.

Absolute Radio also has a network of digital decade brands; Absolute Radio 60s, Absolute Radio 70s, Absolute 80s, Absolute Radio 90s, Absolute Radio 00s, Absolute Radio 10s, Absolute Radio 20s, Absolute Classic Rock and Absolute Radio Country.

Listen to Absolute Radio on DAB or 1215AM, online, via the free Absolute Radio app, digital TV and smart speaker. For more information log on to www.absoluteradio.co.uk

About Jazz FM:

Jazz FM is the largest commercial jazz station in the world, celebrating the complete spectrum of Jazz in all its colourful forms since 1990.  Jazz FM broadcasters, producers and team are true devotees, with a deep love and understanding of their particular Jazz shade, their passion is vivid, their enthusiasm infectious, sharing the finest jazz with everyone.

As the UK’s only dedicated Jazz broadcaster, Jazz FM is on a mission to entertain, promote and celebrate all that’s great about Jazz. Involvement with national festivals and awards is part of this – setting the bar high for live performance, recognising outstanding talent and strengthening the Jazz community.

No matter how people tune-in they always listen in colour.