Gogglebox star receives honorary degree from the University of Sheffield

Former Gogglebox star and broadcaster Reverend Kate Bottley has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Sheffield.

Kate – who was born in Sheffield but went to Leeds Trinity University – received the honorary Doctor of Medicine at a graduation ceremony last week.

Best known for appearing on five series of Channel 4’s Gogglebox, she is currently a journalist and BBC Radio 2 presenter. She is also a Church of England vicar, having originally been ordained in 2008.

Speaking at the ceremony in the Octagon Centre, Kate called it “an enourmous honor” to be recognised by her “home city and university”, and congratulated graduates in the audience.

She also joked that she had initially thought there had been “some sort of mistake” upon receiving the news of the degree and had to clarify “this did not mean if I was on a plane and someone asked for a doctor, I was to help at the drop of a hat.”

Also to receive an honorary degree was Dr Chris Whitaker – a University of Sheffield graduate and Head of Disability at Sport England – who was recognised for “commitment to disability equality in sports, promoting inclusivity and supporting aspiring and successful athletes’ to develop and succeed”.

More than 2,700 students attended their graduation ceremonies between Monday 13th and Friday 17th January.

Featured image via University of Sheffield