WASHINGTON (AP) – TV host and actress Oprah Winfrey has been chosen as a Kennedy Center honouree right before the start of the 25th and final season of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'.

Winfrey was one of five honourees revealed yesterday.

The 56-year-old TV host and actress will be honoured at the 33rd annual event in Washington on December 5, along with former Beatles member Paul McCartney; dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones; country singer-songwriter Merle Haggard; and Broadway composer and lyricist Jerry Herman.

"I love surprising people, I don't like being surprised," Winfrey said. "Releasing any kind of control over a show and allowing myself to sit there and be surprised is not going to be easy but I'm willing to do that."

The Kennedy Center Honors recognise performing artists for their contributions to American culture. Winners are selected by the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees.

In addition to her award-winning TV show, Winfrey earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her work in the film adaptation of Alice Walker's novel 'The Color Purple'.

Winfrey is used to celebrating others, both on her popular television show and at previous Kennedy Center Honors programmes, but she said she's looking forward to being celebrated this time around.

"When I've done them in the past for people, it has always felt a little bit like being bombarded with a love festival that is about you, and you know that's gotta feel good," Winfrey said during a phone interview in between filming for her show.