The disappointment felt by friends of Bruce Forsyth that he did not receive a knighthood shows again that the Honours system is political.

'Brucey' has given three generations of people enormous pleasure but seemingly Downing Street has ignored this completely.

At least 'Brucey' can feel in very good company, for many of Britain's real unsung heroes have also been overlooked over the years in the interests of political vote-catching or correctness.

These include people who have indirectly saved millions of lives. As an example, a British person who totally redesigned the faulty design data-sheets of military aircraft before the D-Day landings and thereby saved hundreds of thousands of Allied lives.

Another example is an eminent British engineer whose life work has made aircraft, buildings, cars, trains, space vehicles and all structural components far safer from destruction. Even HRH Prince Philip recognised this momentous work in 1997 and awarded this particular person Britain's highest engineering award.

These and others like them were only awarded CBEs and not knighthoods by Downing Street.

So 'Brucey', please take heart and consolation in knowing that you are amongst the very privileged few.

Dr David Hill,

Chief Executive,

World Innovation Foundation Charity,

P O Box A60, Huddersfield, HD1 1XJ.

Updated: 10:10 Tuesday, January 03, 2006