Reverend Meade, who set up the choir with three other people in 1982, has been awarded an MBE for services to music especially the development of British Gospel Music

The choir was originally set up for a one off concert but the performance went so successfully that they went on to release 13 albums over 35 years.

Reverend Meade explained that, at that time: "We were formed from those who were passionate about their faith and were willing to take gospel music into venues that many churches at that time dared not enter."

The choir has performed with other well-known artists including Madonna, Diana Ross, George Michael and has sang in front of Nelson Mandela and Prince Charles. They recently featured on the Gospel Christmas show on BBC 2.

Meade at the time commented: "The idea of an inter-denominational choir was something totally new to the church community.

"A few church leaders felt threatened by it. It took a while before we were able to convince them that we were not forming a new church and stealing their young people away! We knew this was a vision that God had given us and that inspired us to keep going despite the controversy which surrounded us,"

Christian journalist Marcia Dixon said: As a co-founder of the London Community Gospel Choir Bazil has played a key role establishing the UK gospel scene, providing mentorship and opportunities to numerous gospel artists and musicians, and flying the flag for gospel music in general.

Co-founder of the London Community Gospel Choir, Reverend Bazil Meade, has been recognized in the New Years honours list for 2018.