TV celebs Peter Purves of Doctor Who, Blue Peter and Crufts fame, and The Great British Sewing Bee's Patrick Grant among UCLan’s new honorary award recipients

Former Doctor Who companion, Blue Peter presenter and Crufts’ commentator Peter Purves and The Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant will take to the stage in Preston to receive Honorary Fellowships.

They will be joined by graphic designer Becky Chilcott, international strategic development specialist Professor John Fyfe CBE and archaeologist Dr Gill Hey who will all accept prestigious Honorary Doctorates.

Peter, who was born in New Longton, will receive his award on Wednesday to acknowledge the significant contribution he has made in services to television, acting and presenting and in particular, support for UCLan’s recent remake of the lost 1960s Doctor Who episode ‘Mission to the Unknown’.

On Friday, Patrick, who runs Community Clothing and Cookson & Clegg, both Lancashire based, will received his award recognising the significant contribution he has made to the British clothing and textile industry, as well as supporting the University at events such as the Leaders in Residence Network Launch.

Becky will be honoured for the significant contribution she has made in services to graphic design and the support given to UCLan Publishing, and Dr Hey for services to archaeology and support in providing placements for the University’s archaeology students.

Professor Fyfe is being acknowledged for the significant long-term contribution he has made to the UCLan’s Applied Policy Science Unit and to the Samuel Lindow Foundation, particularly through the provision of expertise and practical experience in the fields of politics, policy and government, as well as for his contribution to the development of 'partnerships' in community development, internationally, of which the association with UCLan and its presence at Westlakes Science Park in Cumbria is a special example.

UCLan’s degree and award celebrations, which run from July 11 to 15 on the Preston Campus, will see thousands of students don their academic caps and gowns across 14 graduation ceremonies.

Graduates will take to the stage in the transformed Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and will enjoy their post-event celebrations with family and friends on the new multi-million-pound University Square, whilst ceremonies will also be live streamed available on the University’s YouTube channel.