The 71-year-old singer's wife said the musician was overwrought with emotion and in "shock" when he got to know that he was to be recognised in Queen Elizabeth's birthday honours list for his services to music and charity back in June, reported Daily Mirror.
"He never expected it because he thought, I've had my award, I've been granted a CBE and he was very flattered and honoured by that. But this was a shock.
"He kept having to re-read the letter and literally collapsing on the sofa and going, 'I can't believe this, I can't believe this!' He was in tears about it, really emotional," she said.
"He was very happy after the embargo of three weeks to be able to announce it on stage. He was doing a concert the night the news came out and he was able to tell the crowd on his encore that he was about to be knighted. The place erupted.