David Cameron's barber was awarded an MBE in the New Year honours list for "services to hairdressing", it has emerged.

Raffaele Claudio Carbosiero, known as Lino, has styled the hair of the rich and famous for decades and is known for cutting the prime minister's hair with a left, rather than right-hand, parting in 2010.

The hairdresser has also styled the hair of Madonna, Jason Donovan and X Factor contestants for the first three series, and counts celebrities such as Philip Schofield and Ant and Dec among his friends. He now works at the upmarket Daniel Galvin salon in Marylebone, central London.

"As a 'showbiz' stylist, Lino's renowned skills of celebrity hair-cutting and styling are recognised throughout the world," his website says.

Downing Street came under fire over last week's honours, after awards went to one of Britain's most powerful spin doctors, who holidayed with Cameron, a businessman whose company donated to George Osborne's local party, and the Conservatives' new business ambassador, sparking accusations of cronyism in the system.

However, the government says the process is fully independent and there is no political interference in the system as the recipients of honours are decided by independent committees.

Asked about the honour for Carbosiero, Cameron's official spokesman said: "Gosh. Decisions around honours – there is an independent process. It is one for them."

The prime minister's hair has provided much material for sketchwriters over the years, most notably in 2008 when the then leader of the opposition briefly opted for a centre parting. Carbosiero was named as Cameron's hairdresser in 2010, prompting speculation he had been recommended by the prime minister's wife, Samantha.

Carbosiero told the Evening Standard that getting the official letter initially left him shocked and panicked, before he found it was giving him an honour.

" I thought I hadn't paid my taxes," he said.

He added: "[The clients] have to trust you. I have been in situations where people have talked about things and I've not blinked an eyelid. I don't blab and I'm respected for it."