The 50-year-old actor, who won the Oscar for his portrayal of a stammering king in "The King`s Speech", has reportedly impressed the Queen with his performance of a father struggling to cope with speech impediment.

Apart from Firth, singer and songwriter Bryan Ferry will also receive the honour.

Golfer Lee Westwood, cricketer Andrew Strauss, artist Sam Taylor-Wood and jazz singer Claire Martin will each receive an OBE (Officers of the Order of the British Empire), reports aceshowbiz.com.