Jools Holland honoured for outstanding contribution to music

Jools Holland was honoured with the 20th annual Music Industry Trusts Award last night (Monday, November 7) at a star-studded charity dinner in central London.

The pianist and TV host was praised for his outstanding contribution to music and broadcasting over the last three decades at the event, sponsored by PPL, Ingenious and Spotify was in aid of The BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins at London’s Grovesnor House Hotel. Jools was presented with his award by long time friend Jennifer Saunders, which was preceded by special video messages from Sir Elton John, Sir Bob Geldof, Ringo Starr, and His Royal Highness the Prince Of Wales.

"I'm so sorry to surprise you in this rather disembodied way but I just want to add my own heartfelt congratulations to your official promotion to the ranks of the great and good,” said Prince Charles in the pre-recorded clip. “As you now know there has been a long-running plot to promote you to the position of a full blown national treasure. You are the very embodiment of that rare species and so many people's lives have been enhanced not only by your irresistible music but also by your wonderful humanity."

Jools told The Official Charts that he was honoured to be accepting the award..

“I was a bit worried that it’d feel like dying with all these people saying nice things about [me] at [my] funeral,” he joked. “But actually it’s much nicer than that. It’s fantastic to be surrounded by such wonderful people, so I feel very honoured. It’s lovely.”

Past MITS winners have included Sir George Martin, Ahmet Ertegun, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, John Barry, Michael Parkinson, Lord Andrew Lloyd Weber, Sir Tom Jones and Kylie Minogue. To date The MITS have raised over £4 million for Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust. For more information, please visit www.mitsaward.co.uk.

You can watch our interviews from the 2011 MITS with Jools, as well as guests including Jennifer Saunders, Rumer, Imelda May, Corinne Bailey Rae and Vic Reeves and Nancy Sorrell below: