Latest news with #honorarydegree
BBC News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Greg James receives honorary University of York doctorate
Radio 1 DJ Greg James said it had been a "fantastic day" as he received an honorary degree from the University of was chosen for the honour for his "remarkable contribution to society" and for championing mental health, according to the university's vice his connection with the institution also involves an unusually tall duck that became an online sensation and was regularly mentioned on the presenter's fondness for "Long Boi" saw him lead a memorial service and unveil a statue after its death. Other people being honoured by the University of York this year were Handmaid's Tale author Margaret Atwood and historian Greg said receiving his honorary degree had been "very thrilling"."I feel very proud to receive this and it was a real genuine delight to watch all those very clever people receiving their degrees and Masters."It was a fantastic day. It was very inspiring actually."He admitted to a few nerves ahead of his speech to his fellow graduates."It means a lot to all the people who were in there, that they'd done something really magical."All their family and friends are there and you don't want to mess it up." Long Boi, a 28in (70cm) cross between a mallard and an Indian runner duck, was regularly featured on James' show after gaining fame among students and is believed to have died in 2023 after vanishing from the admitted the initial idea of Britain's tallest duck had been too funny to resist and it had captured the listeners' attention."It spiralled into this ridiculous movement," he said."I love taking small things on the breakfast show and then taking them to their most ludicrous conclusion."And the ludicrous conclusion was doing a state funeral live on the Radio 1 breakfast show from the same hall where they give out the scrolls."He said he believed "silliness" could really cut through the "world beautifully, the absurd world, the sad bits of the world"."So it was about a dead duck but really it was about everyone being together and celebrating something silly."At the core of everything people want to laugh, that's the one thing that unites every single person." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
TikTok star PinkPantheress gets honorary University of Kent degree
Singer PinkPantheress is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Canterbury-raised musician, who kickstarted her career on social media, is to be recognised for her contribution to and achievements in music in the digital three-time Brit Award nominee – whose real name is Victoria Beverley Walker – will be made a Doctor of Music at Canterbury Cathedral during one of the university's graduation ceremonies on Tuesday."I am so honoured to get this, this is so cool," the 22-year-old said. PinkPantheress shared her first song, the Michael Jackson-sampling Just A Waste, on TikTok on Christmas Day in the next 18 months, she shared 15-second online snippets of her then, she has signed with record label known for her Top 40 singles Just for Me, Pain and Boy's a Liar, she has won BBC's Sound of 2022 poll and Best Female Act at the MOBO awards in the same year. She also performed at Glastonbury last she posted on social media that years of exposure to loud music had left her 80% deaf in her right last year she cancelled a number of tour dates, stating that she had to "focus on my physical health and overall wellbeing".Others receiving honorary degrees throughout the week include writer Sir Michael Morpurgo MBE, presenter Iain Dale, filmmaker and former actress Andrea Arnold and conservationist Giles Clark.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Suzy Eddie Izzard, 63, is awarded an honorary doctorate from a university at the centre of a transgender rights controversy
Suzy Eddie Izaard has been awarded an honorary degree on Sunday from a university at the centre of a transgender rights controversy. The stand-up comedian, 63, - who likes to go by the name Suzy but doesn't mind being called by her birth name Eddie - was honoured when she was made a doctor by the University of Sussex. The university was at the centre of a trans storm after lecturer, Professor Kathleen Stock, was targeted in a campaign of hate and abuse. Professor Stock, 53, was 'cancelled' and forced to leave the university in 2021 as she was accused of transphobia. In March this year the university was fined £585,000 for its failure to uphold free speech rights of the feminist professor. Her offences included stating in 2020 that 'the claim "transwomen are women" is fiction, not literally true'. The stand-up comedian, who likes to go by the name Suzy but doesn't mind being called by her birth name Eddie, was honoured when she was made a doctor by the University of Sussex She also said 'spaces where women undress and sleep should remain genuinely single-sex in order to protect them'. The fine was issued by the Office for Students (OfS), which criticised its policy statement on 'Trans and Non-Binary equality'. It said Sussex's requirement to 'positively represent trans people' and an assertion that 'transphobic propaganda [would] not be tolerated' could lead staff and students to 'self-censor'. It is the largest ever given to a university, though Sussex has vowed to challenge the OfS findings legally. Suzy Izzard as well as politician, Sir Ben Bradshaw, and four other Sussex alumni received honorary doctorates as part of the university's summer graduation ceremonies. The stand-up comedian, activist and actor said: 'It is an honour to be conferred this doctorate in recognition of my work as an actor, comedian, my activism and charity work over the years. 'It is even more special that this is being awarded by the University of Sussex as this is the county in which I grew up in and one which holds a special place in my heart.' Izzard, who spent a large part of her childhood in Bexhill and Eastbourne, has been a campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights. Her charity work includes raising £1.8m for Sport Relief by completing 43 marathons in 51 days in 2009 and a further £1.35m for the same charity when she ran 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa, to honour Nelson Mandela's 27 years in prison. Izzard said: 'The University of Sussex is a key and integral part of the local community, and its students go on to have inspiring careers and change the world.' It comes after Izzard revealed she would be 'very happy to have children' and confessed she's open to falling in love again with a woman. She previously said that she has always fancied women over men and her last known relationship was with singer Sarah Townsend. Izzard spoke to Gyles Brandreth on the Rosebud podcast and said: 'I would be very happy to have children. But at the moment it's not there. Never say never.' She added: 'I am trans, but I fancy women, I've always fancied women, never fancied boys or men, it just doesn't work for me.' While discussing her love life and hopes for the future, Eddie admitted that she is not actively looking for love right now because she is 'happy' in her own company. She revealed: 'I'm not going to go into lots of relationships. It is tricky - having relationships if you're a trans person that's going to be tricky, but I'm quite happy with my own company.' 'I'm very happy in the position that I am at the moment so I'm not looking. If someone comes along and we click very well - then absolutely.' She continued: 'But I'm not actively going to discos. 'I do believe at some point the right person could be there and we could click.' She also discussed the type of partner she wants in life, by saying: 'It would need to be an intelligent person, great conversation, good sense of humour, attractive.'
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Princess Anne gets honorary doctorate from University of Huddersfield
The Princess Royal has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of who is president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, accepted her honorary doctorate for services to the arts in front of more than 100 graduating students at a ceremony on Parik Goswami, the university's director of research, innovation and knowledge exchange, said the princess had an "extraordinary passion for the fashion and textile sector".Also receiving honorary doctorates were former Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, former university student and wedding dress designer Kate Halfpenny, and the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Rev Nick Baines. Anne last visited the university in 2023 when she addressed the Textile Institute's annual Goswami said her visits were "not only a testament to her commitment but also serve as a significant morale booster for those involved in the industry". Meanwhile, Mr Sheerman, who was the town's Labour MP for 45 years until retiring in 2024, was presented with the award for his outstanding political service and lifelong public commitment to representing the people of told students graduating: "We need you. We need your talent."We need your inspiration. We need your knowledge, but above all, we need your passion."Ms Halfpenny, who is behind Halfpenny London, one of the UK's leading luxury bridalwear brands, was honoured in recognition of her outstanding contribution to fashion design, creative entrepreneurship, and her continued support for students and thanked the university for "planting the seed of opportunity".The Bishop of Leeds received his honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding achievements in knowledge generation, ordained and episcopal ministry. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hull City legend Dean Windass tells graduates 'live your dream'
Former Premier League footballer Dean Windass has told new graduates to "go live your dream" after he received an honorary degree from the University of former Hull City, Bradford City, Aberdeen and Middlesbrough forward was awarded for his significant contribution to the field of a speech at the Connexin Live arena in Hull, Windass, who revealed earlier this year that he has stage two dementia, said: "I've been called a lot of things in my life but not a doctor. Wow."The 56-year-old is one of three people being recognised by the university, including broadcaster and self-described "eco-futurist" Alan Raw and motivational speaker Jaz Ampaw-Farr. Windass played for 12 clubs during a professional career spanning 19 years. Following the news of his dementia diagnosis, he revealed in May he had also been diagnosed with ADHD. Windass was part of the Bradford City side promoted to the Premier League in 1999 and wrote his name into Hull City folklore with a wonder goal in the Championship play-off final at Wembley in 2008, which saw Hull City promoted to the top flight for the first time in its then 104-year also had stints at Aberdeen, Oxford, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United during a career that saw him amass more than 700 appearances and more than 230 goals. During his acceptance speech for his Doctor of Letters (DLitt) award on Wednesday, Windass told students graduating at the university he had an "incredible journey" from being initially rejected by Hull City at the age of 18 to proving his critics "wrong"."Ironically, I got my break just before my 21st birthday with a manager called Terry Dolan at Hull City and he gave me that chance. "I worked on a building site while playing non-league football and then I didn't want to go back to that building site. That's what spurred me on."He told students and academics in the arena to "go live your dream" and said hard work, sacrifice and daily attendance were among the qualities for success as well as trying "your hardest" and respecting others."Yes it's been a journey, yes it's been tough but I would never change anything in my football career."All I tried to do in my football career was to prove people wrong. I've made mistakes of course, we all do but I own my mistakes." Thanking his family and friends, he gave a special mention to his fiancée Kerry Allanson, who Windass said had stood by him through his dementia diagnoses."She's been my rock for the last six years. I've let her down a couple of times but we're getting married next year.""I'll prove to my fiancée that I'll be a very good husband," he added. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
