But the financial expert said he almost missed out after Buckingham Palace sent his appointment to an old address.

He told the PA News Agency: “I was really, really surprised. I knew that some people had named me, but the time when you were supposed to receive a letter was well past.

“I then found out that they had sent the letter to an old address and when I hadn’t responded, they contacted me, so I was properly stunned.”

The founder of the Money Saving Expert website added, “The timing is right and I’m not surprised it has been a tough few years for everyone.”

It comes after a period in which he set out to help households and businesses weather the pandemic and ensure that people can claim what they were entitled to through various government support programs.

He said: “I had to learn a lot in a short time to help communicate to the public what help they could get and where to look for it, as well as contacting the government to point out the gaps in what. ‘they were. offering, and, let’s be clear, there are holes.

When asked if he thought the final honor, which followed an OBE in 2014, would lead him to be less critical of the government, he said he would not stop his campaign.

“Although I have no problem with a political party, I will do so on specific issues. I was grinding my ax after I got my OBE in 2014 and hope to grind my ax until my hair is white.

The broadcaster added, “Now I hope all of our lives will get back to normal soon, and my little girl, who was just a baby when I was introduced (with) the OBE, will be able to this time. join my wife and I, when I arrive to receive this invaluable honor.

Mr. Lewis is also founder of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute charity and presenter of the Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV.