UEA honours
comedian Izzard
ROWAN ENTWISTLE July 10, 2003
He
might not seem the most obvious of advocates, but today comedian Eddie Izzard
was honoured for his commitment to a modern Europe.
The flamboyant comic was made an honorary Doctor of Letters at a graduation
ceremony at the University of East Anglia.
Presenting him for the accolade, Dr Roger Baines, lecturer in the School of
Language, Linguistics and Translations, thanked Mr Izzard for his contribution
to promoting both modern languages and tolerance of other cultures and lifestyles.
He said that through humour he had “transcended national barriers”.
Clearly delighted by the occasion, Mr Izzard, who was accompanied at the ceremony
by his dad Harrold, in turn thanked the UEA for giving him a degree more than
20 years after he dropped out of university.
“Wow! I was supposed to graduate when I was 21. My dad has had to wait 20 years
so thank you very much UEA,” he joked.
And he was not the only distinguished guest to grace the stage at today's ceremonies.
The former Dean of Norwich, and now Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Rev Stephen
Platten, made a welcome return to Norfolk to collect his honorary Doctor of
Letters Degree for his contribution to the Cathedral, the city of Norwich and
the UEA.
Before collecting his accolade he told the EDP: “I will never have anything
other than love for Norwich - driving through the city earlier I thought what
a marvellous place this is.”
The work of Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer, was also recognised.
Sir Liam, who has worked in all sectors of health care, reminded those graduating
from the School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, that medicine was all
about the patient.
“If the humanity goes out of health care we will have lost a great deal - humanity
and compassion are at the heart of what you are doing,” he said.
Earlier in the day, author Philip Pullman and chief scientist of the World Bank
Dr Robert Watson received honorary degrees.
Children's author and illustrator Shirley Hughes should have attended the day
too but had to cancel due to ill health.