Film Director Ridley Scott said yesterday that he was "truly humbled" to receive a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List.

Sir Ridley was named a Knight Bachelor for his services to the British film industry, in a career which has produced such memorable films as Gladiator, Alien and Blade Runner.

He said: "As a boy growing up in South Shields, I could never have imagined that I would receive such a special recognition. I am extremely honoured to be awarded a knighthood.

"I am truly humbled to receive this treasured award and believe it also further recognises the excellence of the British film industry."

Sir Ridley, 65, began his career as a set designer for the BBC after studying at West Hartlepool College of Art and the Royal College of Art.

He was quickly promoted to director and worked on classic TV shows, including popular police series Z Cars.

He set up his own production company making memorable TV commercials. One of them was the Hovis advert which featured a delivery boy pushing his bicycle up a cobbled street.

In 1977, Sir Ridley made his first foray into movies with The Duellists, which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

He followed it with the landmark science fiction films Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982).

Thelma and Louise, starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, was a critical and box office success on its release in 1991.

After a couple of flops - the Christopher Columbus biopic 1492: Conquest of Paradise and Demi Moore vehicle GI Jane among them - Scott returned to winning ways with Gladiator.

The Roman epic was nominated for 12 Oscars and carried away the award for best picture.

Success followed with Silence Of The Lambs sequel Hannibal, and military drama Black Hawk Down.

Along with his brother, Tony, he recently produced the acclaimed Winston Churchill biopic The Gathering Storm, starring Albert Finney and Vanessa Redgrave.

Sir Ridley is also co-chairman of Pinewood Shepperton Holdings Limited, which owns both Pinewood and Shepperton film studios.