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AAP
AAP
Lifestyle
Liz Hobday

Hamish Blake, Jimmy Rees forget King's birthday gift

Gold Logie winner Hamish Blake has been awarded a another gong - a King's Birthday Honour. (Regi Varghese/AAP PHOTOS)

Television personalities Hamish Blake and Jimmy Rees are among a group of entertainers recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List, but they're both unsure of the best gift for a guy who already has an empire?

"I am of course extremely honoured, and now feel very guilty - I didn't even get the King a birthday present," Logie-winning Lego Masters host Blake, 42, quipped.

Jimmy Rees briefly considered borrowing an island to give King Charles III, but settled on a voucher as a good last-minute gift option - maybe a fuel voucher because everyone needs petrol, even the King.

Since daily ABC children's show Giggle and Hoot ended in 2019 after a decade, Rees has reinvented himself as an online video star, gaining four million followers for his Meanwhile In Australia videos, the Brighton Ladies, and The Guy Who Decides.

Comedian Jimmy Rees
Jimmy Rees is a familiar face for his TV appearances and comedic videos. (HANDOUT/GRANT GILLIES)

So what would The Guy Who Decides have to say about the monarchy?

"Let's have a family run a whole country," laughs Rees, immediately switching into his online alter ego.

"But then we'll have a government and what do they do? Well, they run the country. So who runs the country, sir? Oh, it doesn't matter."

And what is The Guy Who Decides, usually filmed sloshing a martini glass of clear liquid while issuing the rules for such things as the tax system and World Cup soccer, actually drinking?

"Basically 98 unleaded is what he drinks - I think gin is his drink of choice, probably the cheaper the better."

After Rees' social media videos attracted an audience during COVID-19, he put together a live show.

An initial run of seven nights sold out and was expanded to 40 shows, then a national tour, and another tour to regional Australia, including charity shows in Lismore after the floods.

And a note for the King: the monarchy might just be good material for another online skit, Rees said.

The 36-year-old, who lives in Victoria, is awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday Honours List revealed on Sunday.

Of course Monday - a public holiday in most parts of Australia to recognise the monarch's birthday - is not actually King Charles's birthday. He was born on November 14. 

Blake is also awarded an OAM for his service to the arts as an entertainer, and to the community. 

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