Dame Judi to receive gong

Last Modified: 21 May 2008
Source: ITN

Actress Dame Judi Dench is to be honoured by one of the country's oldest universities, it has been announced.

The Oscar-winning actress of the stage and screen will be awarded an honorary degree at the University of St Andrews next month.

The actress will be made a Doctor of Letters at the summer graduation ceremony.

Dame Judi, 73, said: "I am thrilled to be coming to St Andrews and I am looking forward to it enormously."

The actress has played some of the greatest leading ladies in theatre history, including Cleopatra.

On the big screen, she is best known for her portrayal of Queen Victoria in Mrs Brown and her recurrent role as M in the James Bond films.

Other credits include roles in Iris, Chocolat, Notes on a Scandal, Mrs Henderson Presents and Shakespeare in Love, for which she won an Academy Award for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I.

She also starred in the long-running television series As Time Goes By.

Meanwhile, wildlife broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is to receive an honorary degree from Aberdeen University.

The TV natural historian has received widespread acclaim for his ground-breaking documentaries.

Professor C Duncan Rice, principal and vice chancellor of the university, said: "We are proud that Sir David Attenborough has agreed to accept an honorary degree.

"He has proved an inspiration to millions throughout his distinguished career. He embodies qualities and values to which we would love our own students to aspire."

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