It's all become a bit silly

I blame that Tony Blair. It was he who decreed that Kelly Holmes should be made a dame, just because she won two gold medals. And a precedent was set. Populist, yes, but hardly respectful of honours. I don't remember David Hemery being knighted; and Sir Steve Redgrave had to win oodles of medals before he secured his title.

So now, we face the prospect of Sir Chris, Dame Rebecca and Sir Bradley. How can the government avoid it? Not easily, I suspect.

The only good thing is that it will bring the whole silly honours shooting match into disrepute.