Actors Gatiss and McKee honoured at university

Two award-winning actors have received honorary doctorates from Durham University.

Mark Gatiss, who co-created BBC series Sherlock and was a founding member of The League of Gentleman, and Gina McKee, who was born in Peterlee, were both made a Doctor of Letters.

Gattis said: "Although I grew up near Sedgefield, Durham has always held a place in my heart and to receive this degree in the cathedral where I come every Christmas was really special."

Thousands of students from the university are graduating in July.

Gatiss added: "It was lovely to speak with the students but I told them you are graduating into a very uncertain world, but my mantra is work hard, be kind - to me that's the meaning of life.

"We have to be honest to graduates about the world of work, as you do face setbacks, there's been times when I've been shaking thinking 'I can't do this' but you've got to get back on the horse and be tough."

Gatiss has previously been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Leeds and the University of Huddersfield.

McKee has appeared in films including Notting Hill and Atonement.

She shot to fame in the Peter Flannery BBC series Our Friends in North, which earned her three best actress awards, including a Bafta.

Former BBC Science Editor David Shukman and TV executive Lorraine Heggessey, who was the first woman to be controller of BBC One, have also been honoured. Both were former Durham students.

Charity campaigner Becky Rogerson, former chief executive of My Sister's Place, a domestic abuse charity in Middlesbrough, and who has led Wearside Women in Need since 2018, has been made a Doctor of Science.

International law experts Dato' Faiz Azmi and Dapo Akande have also been honoured.

Graduation ceremonies have been taking place at Durham Cathedral.

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