Staffordshire Uni makes her a doctor

Ruby Wax is to be awarded an honorary degree by Staffordshire University.

The comic turned mental health campaigner will next month be made a doctor of the university, as part of a week of graduations.

The university says ‘the nomination recognises Ruby's determined efforts to help others through her best-selling books and the setting up of "frazzled" cafes as safe places where people can meet and share their stresses.’

The university is also honouring  Olympic gold-winning cyclist Laura Trott, now known as Laura Kenny, and TV Dragon  Sarah Willingham.

Vice-chancellor Liz Barnes said: ‘We honour people who can inspire our students and graduates, and who have achieved distinction in a field relevant to the university.’

Wax was last year given another honorary degree by the  University of East London – and on receiving her diplomat told students to embrace failure.

She said: ‘Don’t think that failure is the end of it. If you have the strength to keep going, everybody else who can’t take it will fall by the wayside. If you don’t give up, every time you succeed, you’ve got more muscle.’

Published: 15 Jun 2017