Louis Smith gets MBE from the Queen

Cambridgeshire gymnast Louis Smith has described being given his MBE by the Queen as "quite surreal".

"I never thought, starting off in gymnastics, I would be in this position," he said. "It's quite amazing. It's been a tremendous year for me."

Smith, who has just completed the Strictly Come Dancing tour, said he now wants to concentrate on sport rather than showbiz - specifically visiting schools to encourage children to get involved.

He said: "As athletes, we have a big responsibility to keep the legacy going. I'm starting to take a step back from the entertainment side and move into charity and school work.

"People might misconstrue that because we are doing a bit of entertainment that we're losing our way, but it's about boosting knowledge and so that we can promote other things that we're doing."

Smith, who won a silver on the pommel horse and a bronze in the men's team event at last summer's Olympic Games, revealed the Queen told him: "Here's another one to add to your collection."

However Smith, who is in the process of moving house, said he still did not have a place for his medals - let alone his latest honour.

Earlier in the day Louis tweeted that his manager had forgotten their Buckingham Palace invites.