Honorary degree from his old uni

Peter Kay has received an honorary doctorate from his old university.

He collected a Doctorate of Arts from Salford yesterday, where he started performing stand-up as part of his HND in Media and Performance in 1996.

The comic told fellow graduates how he took the plunge into comedy,saying: 'I knew I could make people laugh but I was frightened in case they wouldn't laugh. But I knew I would regret it if I didn't have a go.'

His honorary award is for his contributions to television and comedy and his support for the university

Kay previously returned to his alma mater in 2012 to help launch its £8,500-a-year, three-year course in comedy, telling the new students they were ‘sitting on a goldmine’ at the university.

Salford vice chancellor Professor Helen Marshall described him as 'a huge comedic talent and an inspirational figure to many [and] a strong supporter of up-and-coming talent as demonstrated in his work with our arts and media students'.

Published: 20 Jul 2016