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Omar: ‘I’m chuffed to bits over my MBE’

ON THE LIST: British singer, Omar

BRITISH SINGER Omar and west London playwright actor Kwame Kwei-Armah were among those honoured in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

The There’s Nothing Like This hitmaker received an MBE for his services to music, while Casualty star, Kwei-Armah, received an OBE for his services to drama.

Omar, now known as Omar Lye-Fook, released a statement via his website telling fans that he was “absolutely chuffed” to be honoured.

The 43-year-old said: “I am absolutely chuffed to bits to be named in the Birthday Honours List. I want to dedicate it to all my die-hard fans who have always told me to keep on doing what I’m doing. The music I make comes from the heart because it is all about self expression, a true art form and now to be recognised in such a way is outstanding and I couldn’t be more humbled.

I wake up every day and give thanks for the job that I do I want to thank my parents Byron and Sonia, my brothers and sisters (Rachel, Kareen, Kimon, Scratch, Samia) who have always been there to support me along with my beautiful partner Vicky and my daughters Gabrielle and Carmen who’ve been so patient and understanding of the business and all its unconventional ways, you’re my inspiration!”


HONOURED: Kwame Kwei-Armah

He added: “All the musicians, producers, promoters, booking agents, DJs, journalists and labels I have worked with over my seven albums and tours, home and abroad, you’ve all been part of this journey! And last but not least to all my fans I say a big thank you!!!

I’m a person that likes to do things differently and without your reassurance that I’m doing something right I’d just be some nutter making up beats and grooves in his mum’s basement! As long as I have music to put fire in my belly, I will keep on keeping on.”

Kwei-Armah, who first landed on British television screens in 1999 as paramedic Finlay Newton of BBC 1′s hit drama series Casualty, said the award was an honor to the “immigrant’s dream” that brought his parents to the UK from Grenada.

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