Prince Andrew

NAME: Prince Andrew  

DEGREE: Honorary Doctorate  

INSTITUTION: University of Huddersfield  

DATE: 2015  

STATEMENTS: 'The Duke of York was installed as Chancellor of The University of Huddersfield on 13th July, 2015. HRH succeed Sir Patrick Stewart, who became Chancellor Emeritus after 11 years. The University of Huddersfield was founded in 1825 and provides outstanding academic education. The University prides itself on the employability of graduates and aims to equip its students with the skills required for the world of work” - thedukeofyork.org 

Vernon Kay

NAME: Vernon Kay

DEGREE: Honorary Doctorate

INSTITUTION: University of Bolton

DATE: 2009

STATEMENTS: “ 'Those receiving Honorary Doctorates this year are examples of the shining talent within the Bolton family, in fields of particular interest to the University... Entertainer and Radio One DJ Vernon Kay receives his award for his outstanding contribution to the field of entertainment... He has presented various shows, most notably T4, Beat the Star and All Star Family Fortunes.” - University of Bolton press release

Donald Trump

NAME: Donald Trump

DEGREE: Doctor of Business Administration

INSTITUTION: Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

DATE: 2010 (Rescinded 2015)

STATEMENTS: “The University has chosen to confer this degree on Mr Trump in recognition of his business acumen, entrepreneurial vision and the long-term future his company is planning in the North-east of Scotland.” - Professor John Harper, Acting Principal of Robert Gordon University.

“In the course of the current US election campaign, Mr Trump has made a number of statements that are wholly incompatible with the ethos and values of the university. The university has therefore decided to revoke its award of the honorary degree.” - Robert Gordon University

Rolf Harris

NAME: Rolf Harris

DEGREES: Honorary Doctorate / Doctorate of Letters

INSTITUTIONS: University Of East London / Liverpool Hope University

DATE: 2007 (Rescinded 2014) / 2010 (Rescinded 2014)

STATEMENTS: "The Board of Governors at the UEL has approved a recommendation by the Vice-Chancellor's Group to withdraw Mr. Harris' honorary award, effective immediately today" (2014)

"University Council decided at its meeting held on July 3, 2014 to withdraw the university's honorary award given to Rolf Harris in January 2010" (2014)

Dannii Minogue

NAME: Dannii Minogue

DEGREE: Doctor Of Media

INSTITUTION: Southampton Solent University

DATE: 2011

CITATION: "Dannii Minogue's international career stands as evidence of the personal success that can be achieved with talent, persistence and hard work. As a winner of many prestigious media awards, she has made a major contribution to the entertainment industry, and is an outstanding role model" - Professor Van Gore, Vice-Chancellor, Southampton Solent University

Robert Mugabe

NAME: Robert Mugabe

DEGREE: Doctorate of Law

INSTITUTION: Edinburgh University

YEAR: 1984 (Rescinded 2007)

CITATION: "We honour him not only for his extraordinary intellectual discipline and energy, but also for those qualities of statesmanship which made him one of the great figures of modern Africa." - Official Citation

Robbie Savage

NAME: Robert ‘Robbie’ Savage

DEGREE: Honorary Fellowship

INSTITUTION: Glyndŵr University, Wrexham

DATE: 2014

STATEMENTS: “In 2012, Robbie helped John Bishop on a leg of his Sport Relief ‘Week of Hell’, when the comedian cycled, rowed and ran over 290 miles from Paris to London. Earlier this year, Robbie took on his own Sports Relief challenge, battling Alan Shearer to be the first to sit on 45,000 seats at Wembley stadium.” - Glyndŵr University press release

Barbara Windsor

NAME: Barbara ‘Windsor’ Deeks

DEGREE: Doctor of Arts

INSTITUTION: University of East London

DATE: 2014

CITATION: “[Windsor] won plaudits for her portrayal of Peggy Mitchell during 16 years as a cast member of BBC1’s EastEnders, earning a Lifetime Achievement Award at The British Soap Awards in 2009. She has just finished working on the Hollywood movie Alice in Wonderland 2.” - University of East London

Harry Hill

NAME: Matthew ‘Harry Hill’ Hall

DEGREE: Doctor of Arts

INSTITUTION: University of Kent

DATE: 2014

CITATION: “In 2007 he was voted number five on Channel 4's 100 greatest stand-ups. His first feature film, the Harry Hill Movie, hit cinemas in 2013 and his musical based on ITV's hit show X Factor opened in London's West End in March 2014.” - University of Kent

Chris Tarrant

NAME: Chris Tarrant

DEGREE: Doctorate of Literature

INSTITUTION: Aston University (Birmingham)

YEAR: 2006

CITATION: "We thought he was worth a honorary degree because of his broadcasting career, both in TV and radio, and because he has strong Midlands connections." - Secretary Registrar David Packham

Katherine Jenkins

NAME: Katherine Jenkins

DEGREE: Honorary fellowship

INSTITUTION: Swansea University

YEAR: 2007

CITATION: "Honorary fellowships, our highest honour, are used sparingly by the university. There is surely no doubt that Katherine deserves the accolade? Whilst she may be the youngest ever recipient of an honorary fellowship from Swansea University, she is also an immensely talented daughter of our region who has won international fame." - Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard B Davies

Mick Hucknall

NAME: Mick Hucknall

DEGREE: Doctor of Music

INSTITUTION: University of Manchester

DATE: 2012

CITATION: "Simply Red performed their farewell show in 2010. In 2013 Hucknall embarks on a solo UK tour performing his American Soul collection… [Hucknall] is active in politics as a prominent supporter of the Labour Party and is a keen Manchester United fan.” - University of Manchester

Philip Schofield

NAME: Philip Schofield

DEGREE: Doctor of Arts

INSTITUTION: Plymouth University

DATE: 2011

CITATION:  "Each year we have the privilege of bestowing the highest academic honours upon a select number of distinguished people whose achievements reflect the mission and values of our university across a range of disciplines" - Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor, Plymouth University

Fern Britton

NAME: Fern Britton

DEGREE: Honorary Degree

INSTITUTION: Buckinghamshire New University

DATE: 2011

CITATION: “It is with great pleasure that we bestow this honorary award on Fern. Our awardees are chosen in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their fields and because they are an inspiration to our graduating students.” - Professor Ruth Farwell, BNU

Lee Evans

NAME: Lee Evans

DEGREE: Doctor of the Arts

INSTITUTIONS: Anglia Ruskin University, University of East London

YEARS: 2009 / 2010

CITATION: "Lee is a role model to show graduates who are moving from education into the uncertain world of work, that they can grow and develop in just one career strand or change direction as and when they want to. He has appeared in a host of films from Something about Mary [sic] to the Magic Roundabout, as well as last year's Doctor Who Easter Special." - University Spokesman

Dizzee Rascal

NAME: Dylan "Dizzee" Mills

DEGREE: Doctor of Arts

INSTITUTION: University of East London

YEAR: 2013

CITATION: "Rapper and self-styled 'Bassline junkie', songwriter and producer, Dizzee Rascal has trodden a fine line between underground and commercial success.

As a boy, he was something of a troublemaker. History does not related whether part of the inspiration for his global hit 'Bonkers' was something to do with that." - Professor John Joughin, Vice-Chancellor

Orlando Bloom

NAME: Orlando Bloom

DEGREE: Doctor of Arts

INSTITUTION: University of Kent, Canterbury

DATE: 2010

CITATION: “Incredibly popular with his fans, he was named ‘People’s’ magazine hottest Hollywood bachelor in the magazine in 2004, the most searched for male on Google in 2006, voted in the top 5 World’s Most Attractive Male Celebrity in HELLO Magazine poll in 2009.  But there is bad news, ladies – he recently got engaged to his girlfriend and Australian model, Miranda Kerr – a Hollywood marriage made in top-ten heaven!”. - Dr Louise Naylor, University of Kent

Mark Knopfler

NAME: Mark Knopfler

DEGREE: Doctor of Music

INSTITUTION: University of Sunderland

DATE: 2007

CITATION: “In the mid-80s, when Dire Straits had released Brothers in Arms – one of the best selling albums of all time – they were tagged 'the biggest band in the world’. Their unforgettable set during Live Aid in 1985, with fellow Geordie Sting, helped to cement that tag.” - University of Sunderland

Simon Bates

NAME: Simon Bates

DEGREE: Doctor of the University

INSTITUTION: The Open University, Milton Keynes

DATE: 2010

CITATION: "Born in Birmingham, Simon Bates began his broadcasting career after wrestling unsuccessfully with grammar school and a redbrick university… A lifelong movie fanatic, Simon joined Classic FM in 1997 to present Classic FM at the Movies and Classic Romance. He has also presented Classic FM Drivetime, and is now the voice of Mornings on Classic FM." - The Open University

Cilla Black

NAME: Priscilla ‘Cilla Black’ White

DEGREE: Honorary Fellowship

INSTITUTION: Liverpool John Moores University

DATE: 2000

STATEMENT: "The University was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cilla Black. She was a true legend of the city of Liverpool and an inspiration to many through her determination and success." – Professor Nigel Weatherill, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University

Susanna Reid

NAME: Susanna Reid

DEGREE: Honorary Fellowship

INSTITUTION: Cardiff University

DATE: 2015

CITATION: "Susanna, is a rare example of someone who successfully combines serious journalism – reporting from war zones, interviewing prime ministers – with the celebrity elements of TV." - Professor Richard Sambrook, Cardiff University

Brian Johnson

NAME: Brian Johnson (AC/DC)

DEGREE: Doctor of Music

INSTITUTION: Northumbria University

YEAR: 2014

CITATION: ""It is fitting that we honour one of the most distinctive voices in rock music, who is also a native of the North East" - Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Northumbria University

Greville Janner

NAME: Greville Janner (Lord Janner of Braunstone, QC)

DEGREE: Doctor of Laws

INSTITUTION: University of Leicester

DATE: 2008

STATEMENTS: “Today, in the city he served so well for so long, we are proud to honour a lawyer, Parliamentarian and friend of humanity.” - Oration by Dr S J Gurman, University of Leicester

“I thank Dr Gurman for his very kind and flattering epitaph [laughs] and I wish that everyone who spoke about me did so with such generosity and goodwill.” - Response by Greville Janner

Richard Madeley

NAME: Richard Madeley

DEGREE: Doctorate of Letters

INSTITUTION: Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge

YEAR: 2011

CITATION: "We are delighted to honour Richard for his outstanding career as a journalist and TV presenter, and also for the wonderful work he now does to encourage people to enjoy literature through the Richard and Judy Book Club." - Pro-Vice Chancellor Sandra Hollis

Heather Mills

NAME: Heather Mills

DEGREE: Doctor Of The University

INSTITUTION: The Open University, Milton Keynes

DATE: 2003

CITATION: "Philanthropist Heather Mills-McCartney is a patron of Adopt-A-Minefield and a United Nations Association Goodwill Ambassador” - Open University Spokesman

Slade

NAME: Slade 

DEGREE: Honorary Fellowship 

INSTITUTION: University of Wolverhampton 

DATE: 2002 

CITATION: "Slade's phenomenal success spans 30 years, and has seen the band's four members leave an indelible mark on the world of popular music" - University spokesman

Oscar Pistorius

NAME: Oscar Pistorius 

DEGREE: Honorary Doctorate 

INSTITUTION: Strathclyde University 

YEAR: 2012 (Rescinded 2015)

CITATION: "An excellent role model, not only for our graduating students here at Strathclyde but for millions of people across the globe" - Prof. Sir Jim McDonald, Principal of the University

STATEMENT: "We have revoked the honorary degree awarded to Oscar Pistorius following his conviction for culpable homicide" - University spokesman, 2015

Camila Batmanghelidjh

NAME: Camila Batmanghelidjh

DEGREE: Doctor Of The University / Honorary Fellowship / Doctor of Social Science / Doctor of Social Science / Doctor of Laws / Doctor of the University

INSTITUTION: The Open University, Milton Keynes / London South Bank University / Brunel University London / Nottingham Trent University / York St John University / University of Kent

DATE: 2008 / 2009 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014

CITATION: “Her energy, personality and leadership have promoted greater levels of therapy, counselling, comfort and other practical help in schools and centres for vulnerable children. Camila’s business skills in the charity sector have also been widely recognised” - Nottingham Trent University

Steven Gerrard

NAME: Steven Gerrard 

DEGREE: Honorary Fellowship

INSTITUTION: Liverpool John Moores University 

DATE: 2008

CITATION: "Steven epitomises the university philosophy of dream, plan, achieve" - Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Brown

Eamonn Holmes

NAME: Eamonn Holmes

DEGREE: Doctor of the University

INSTITUTION:  Queen's University Belfast

DATE: 2006

CITATION: "A unique and remarkable man... Being himself is always what Eamonn Holmes has done best, and he has done it with humour, energy, intelligence and flair. He is fearless and has always accepted that the way forward in both life and his career requires vision, perseverance and self belief" - Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerry McCormac

Alison Moyet

NAME: Alison Moyet

DEGREE: Doctor of the University

INSTITUTION:  South Essex College

DATE: 2011

CITATION: “Alison studied a music foundation course when the college was known as Southend Technical College in 1978. At the age of 21 she formed one half of electropop duo Yazoo with former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke and two years later embarked on a successful solo career which saw Alison recognised as one of Britain’s biggest female stars of the era with hits including Love Resurrection and All Cried Out."

Martine McCutcheon

NAME: Martine McCutcheon

DEGREE: Doctor of Arts

INSTITUTION:  University of Bolton

DATE: 2014

PRESS: “The actress and footballer were two of 19 ‘outstanding individuals’ honoured with a doctorate celebrating every decade in the university’s history. Martine was honoured with a doctor of arts for services to entertainment. The star of Love Actually, said she was excited to receive the award.” - The Bolton News

Johnny Vegas

NAME: Michael ‘Johnny Vegas’ Pennington

DEGREE: Doctor of Literature

INSTITUTION: Edge Hill University, Lancashire

DATE: 2014

CITATION: "Michael, originally from St Helens, started out as a stand-up comic in 1995… His popular appeal was cemented playing characters such as Charlie Doyle in Happiness (2001-2003) for which he received a British Comedy Award, Geoff ‘The Oracle’ Maltby in Benidorm (2007–2009) and Moz in Ideal (2005–2011)." - Edge Hill University

Toyah

NAME: Toyah Willcox


DEGREE: Honorary Doctorate


INSTITUTION: Birmingham City University (previously the University of Central England)


DATE: 2001


CITATION: ‘Toyah Willcox is an actress and singer who enjoyed a string of hits in the 1980s with her band, Toyah. She also starred in a number of feature films, including Jubilee and Quadrophenia, and more recently has worked as a TV and radio presenter.'

Goldie

NAME: Clifford 'Goldie' Price

DEGREE: Doctor of Social Sciences / Doctor of Design

INSTITUTION: Brunel University London / University of Wolverhampton

DATE: 2010 / 2010

CITATION: "Goldie initially earned his name as a graffiti artist in the West Midlands during the early 1980s… Goldie has many TV and film appearances to his credit, including Guy Ritchie’s Snatch, the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, Eastenders and Maestro" - University of Wolverhampton