Trailblazing Scottish sports presenter Hazel Irvine and Fife-based former Royal Marine turned TV presenter JJ Chalmers were both awarded honorary degrees at the University of St Andrews on Wednesday.
St Andrews-born Hazel Irvine, who graduated with a degree in History of Art from St Andrews in 1986, was awarded a Doctor of Laws in recognition of a career in sports broadcasting spanning the Olympics, Wimbledon, World Cups, as well as snooker and golf championships.
Ms Irvine, who attended the ceremony with her dad Bill, said: "This place is a crossroads that connects me with so many events and so many people throughout the last 50-something years and now to be rewarded for pursuing my passion, sport, beyond my university days is as surprising to me as it is joyous and that’s why this incredible honour is so profoundly meaningful to me today."
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Strictly Come Dancing star JJ Chalmers received a Doctor of Laws in recognition of his outstanding achievements in sport and broadcasting, his service to his country, and his place as a role model in triumphing over adversity, In addition to presenting major sporting events including the Paris Olympics, JJ is a patron of the Help for Heroes charity.
Commenting on his honorary degree, Mr Chalmers said: "Nobody expects one of these, you just do what you love, what you have to do sometimes and ultimately charge on into the unknown, to quote Queen Elsa of Arrendelle in Frozen 2."
He also paid tribute to fellow sports presenter and honorary graduate, Hazel Irvine: "I was surrounded by heroes in my time in the Marines but even today the great Hazel Irvine, a colleague and a friend and a hero is being recognised quite rightly, alongside me with her doctorate."
Over the last two days 1000 Class of 2024 students from 74 countries across the globe, have celebrated gaining both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the town's Younger Hall.
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