Baldrick Beats Blackadder as Tony Robinson is Knighted While Rowan Atkinson Gets CBE [VIDEO]

Idiot servant Baldrick has finally got one over his sneering boss Blackadder after Tony Robinson, the actor who portrayed the incompetent dogsbody in the BBC comedy series, was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Rowan Atkinson, 58, who played Edmund Blackadder, had to settle for a relatively humble CBE for his services to charity and drama, but declared it a "great honour" and a "genuine surprise".

Robinson, 66, was honoured for his work for the public and politics declared himself "thrilled, flattered and a little gobsmacked" at the award.

The former Time Team presenter added: "I'll use my new title with abandon to highlight the causes I believe in: the importance of culture, the arts and heritage in our society, and the plight of the infirm elderly and their carers. I also pledge that I'll slaughter all unruly dragons, and rescue any damsels in distress who request my help."

The awards come on the 30th anniversary of the broadcast of the first episode of Blackadder, a romp through British history which ridiculed the English class system.

Artist Anish Kapoor was also among those knighted, whilst ceramic artist Grayson Perry received an MBE.

Singer Adele, winner of this year's best song Oscar, followed it up with an MBE for services to music and was joined by singer PJ Harvey.

Overall 1,100 people were honoured in this year's list, with three-quarters coming from the voluntary or charity sector. While half are women, only 6% are from ethnic minorities.

Among those not in the public eye whose work was recognised was headteacher Kenneth Gibson, knighted for his work at two Tyneside schools described as 'beacons of hope' in a deprived area.

Wendy Parry, who set up the Foundation for Peace charity after her son was killed by an IRA bomb in 1993, is made an OBE.

Watch Baldrick attempt to rewrite the English dictionary in 24 hours in this classic Blackadder clip.