Black Country celebrity friends Don Goodman and Suzi Perry proudly picked up their scrolls alongside hundreds of other students as they were given honorary degrees from the University of Wolverhampton.

Former footballer Don, who played for Wolves, Walsall, West Bromwich Albion and Stafford Rangers, received an Honorary Fellowship for his charity work.

See more pictures of Don and Suzi in our photo gallery below.

While TV presenter Suzi was given an Honorary Fellowship for being a positive role model as a journalist and broadcaster and for her work with children’s charity Promise Dreams.

Both appeared at the graduation ceremony for the School of Applied Sciences at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre yesterday.

Suzi, aged 39, said: “I’m rather humbled by it all really. I enrolled at the University of Wolverhampton so long ago, it was still a polytechnic.

“I was studying for a BA in business and finance but two years in, I left for Japan to work as a model – much to my parents annoyance. “Seventeen years later, this completes the circle for me and I’m finding it all extraordinary.”

Suzi, who grew up in Finchfield and attended Smestow School, is the current presenter of Moto GP and Channel Five’s The Gadget Show.

Trepidation

As she graduated, she was watched by her parents Tony and Irene and new husband Bastien Boosten, who she married in Las Vegas.

The TV star said she was happy to be graduating alongside 43-year-old Don, who is also a strong supporter of Promise Dreams.

The former footballer said it was a true honour to be recognised by the university.

“I came to Wolverhampton 15 years ago with some trepidation as I played for Wolves’ main rivals West Bromwich Albion,” he said.

“But the people of the city could not have been more welcoming. My daughter was born in Wolverhampton and I see my long-term future here.

“It would be difficult to find a more friendly and welcoming city and to receive this degree is an honour.”

The former chief constable of West Midlands Police Sir Paul Scott Lee and The Times journalist Sathnam Sanghera have already been honoured by the university this week.

Tomorrow, comedian Frank Skinner and chef Nigel Slater will receive awards.

University vice-chancellor Professor Caroline Gipps said: “Our honorary degrees are awarded to individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society.

“They are inspiring role models for our graduates and we always look forward to welcoming them at our ceremonies.”

As he took to the Grand stage to receive his award, Sir Paul took the opportunity to ask people to move on from the “Dixon of Dock Green good old days” of policing. He said people should look to the future instead of the perceived ideals of the past.

He was given an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of his outstanding contribution to policing within the West Midlands.

Mr Sanghera, who grew up in Park Village, Wolverhampton, became a Doctor of Letters for journalism.

The 32-year-old, who won a scholarship to Wolverhampton Grammar School and then read English literature at Cambridge, said he hoped his honour would inspire local youngsters.

“I never realised I could be a journalist or a writer and I hope this degree shows other people that they can do what they want. It’s good to see young people from your background do well,” he said.

Mr Sanghera could not speak English until he started junior school and didn’t own his first book until he was 12 but is now a respected writer.

By Elizabeth Joyce