But he admitted that he even feared a hoax when he was notified of the knighthood.
“We were doubtful because it’s been going on so long, the speculation, we thought it might be a hoax so we did check all the way down the line that it was real,” he said.
“Didn’t he do well?” said BBC controller of entertainment commissioning, Mark Linsey, quoting another catchphrase.
“Arise Sir Brucie,” said Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly. “Bruce is Britain’s greatest living all-round entertainer and for 70 years – and counting – he has been making us laugh.”
She added: “Does this mean I’ll have to curtsy now at the start of each show?”
Speaking to the BBC on Saturday afternoon alongside his wife of 30 years, Wilnelia Merced, Sir Bruce said he would indeed expect some respect from his co-host.
“Of course she will and she’ll have to curtsy and pay homage to me,” he said.
Sir Bruce said he felt the honour was as much Wilnelia as for himself but she denied that was the case, claiming she was having a “free ride”.
“I think it’s really more a recognition about the amazing career you have,” Lady Forsyth said. She added that he would be brought back down to earth by still having to do the dishes.
Fifty-year-old Firth is honoured by the Queen after winning an Oscar and Bafta for depicting the struggle with a stammer of her father, George VI, in The King’s Speech.
Pop star Ferry, 65, has enjoyed success as lead singer of Roxy Music and as a solo artist, with hits including Love is the Drug and Jealous Guy.
He said being made a CBE was a “great honour”, and expressed thanks to “all the musicians and others behind the scenes who have helped me throughout my career”.
