Washington, Dec 31 (ANI): Ellen DeGeneres and Tim Gunn have been named PETA’s Woman and Man of the Year.

The duo received the honour because of their exceptional effort in supporting animal rights issues.

“Tim Gunn and Ellen DeGeneres show us that one person really can make a difference in the world by rejecting cruel deeds in favour of compassionate acts,” Us magazine quoted PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk as saying.

“Their message that animals must be treated kindly and respectfully has reached scores of people, and many of them have changed their buying habits, all because Gunn and DeGeneres spoke up for the voiceless,” he added.

Both honourees made “an exceptional effort to place animal rights issues before a large audience,” the statement said.

PETA extended the honour to the ‘Project Runway ’star, owing to his animal-friendly fashion sense-he is the creative director at the fur-free Liz Claiborne Inc.

Gunn, 56, also narrated PETA’s “Fashion Victims” video and promotes designers who use faux-fur fabric.

PETA also applauded DeGeneres’ cruelty-free lifestyle and recognized the 51-year-old talk show host’s decision to become a vegan in 2008.

“I personally chose to go vegan because I educated myself on factory farming and cruelty to animals, and I suddenly realized that what was on my plate were living things, with feelings,” she said on her official site.

DeGeneres and Gunn will each receive an award plaque and a letter of appreciation from PETA. (ANI)