Honorary degree for comedian

The popular Black Country star received the award in recognition of his service to comedy, particularly stand-up, at a ceremony on Friday, 11 September 2009.

Frank was presented with the honour at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, alongside students from the University’s . He described receiving the award as “a great honour” and congratulated students on their achievements.

During his speech at the ceremony, Frank said: “I am a big fan of education. It really changed my life getting a degree – for the first time in my life I felt like I had achieved something special.

“Growing up in Oldbury and Smethwick, I thought my destiny was to leave school and work in a factory until I died but education opened up another life a lot more than being on telly did.

“I think it is fantastic to see all these beautiful people here and the job they have done to achieve it and I am very glad to share it today.

“It is an honour and congratulations to everybody here and to your families.”

Frank Skinner is one of the biggest names in British comedy. He performed his first stand-up gig in December 1987 and, only four years later, went on to win the prestigious Perrier Award. During the mid 90s Frank sold-out two massive UK tours, the second of which, in 1997, closed to a world record breaking packed house at London’s Battersea Power Station. He also established himself as a leading name in television entertainment, going on to star in a succession of smash hit comedy shows, including Fantasy Football, The Frank Skinner Show, and Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned. at the Edinburgh Festival

His prolific career to date has also seen him attain three number one hits with the football anthem ‘Three Lions’, alongside David Baddiel and The Lightning Seeds; star in the hit West End show Art in 1999; and publish his first book, Frank Skinner, which became the top selling entertainment autobiography of 2002, with a total of 46 weeks spent in The Sunday Times Bestsellers list.

Frank returned to live stand-up in 2007 with his unique blend of philosophical yet not for the faint-hearted humour, a decade since he played his last major live gig. His third tour sold-out 69 dates across the UK, including three nights at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena. His latest book, the critically acclaimed Richard and Judy Book Club winning Frank Skinner On The Road, released in paperback this August, explores this stand-up comeback; from how an act is put together to the terrors and joys of trying to make a live audience laugh night after night and the nature of comedy itself.

Frank Skinner’s Credit Crunch Cabaret resumes its West End residency, for its third extension, on 12th October after a two-week run at the Edinburgh Festival and Frank Skinner – The Ultimate Collection will be released this autumn on DVD. For more information on all Frank’s projects visit http://www.frankskinnerlive.com/.

The University of Wolverhampton has held graduation ceremonies for students and honorary award recipients throughout this week.

Further information

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736 or 01902 322003