FORMER ‘Corrie’ actress Sarah Lancashire has come a long way from the role of dippy barmaid, after receiving a top academic honour.
The Shaw-born actress, most-loved for her Street role as Raquel Wolstenhulme, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon DLitt) in recognition of her acting.
She returned to her hometown to receive the prestigious honour at University Campus Oldham’s (UCO) graduation ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Speaking afterwards, she said: "I have got over the shock now that we’ve had the ceremony. It’s actually quite a scary process on the day.
"I’m delighted as it’s a huge honour and totally unexpected. It means a lot – particularly to receive it here in Oldham. This is where I did all my growing up."
The 44-year-old, who is a former pupil of Hulme Grammer School and Oldham College, added: "Oldham has always had a huge font of talent going back to the composer William Walton. We’ve never been short of creative talent and I don’t think we’ll ever lose that.
"Creative talent is born not made, but we do need somewhere to exploit that.
"While we have places like this university, the Coliseum and Oldham Theatre Workshop that will always be the case."
Sarah who also has an Honorary Master of Arts from Salford University, follows in the footsteps of fellow ‘Corrie’ star and Oldhamer Shobna Gulati.
Sarah said: "I hope that this is the start of a relationship with the university here.
"I have very strong relationships with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
"Education is very important to me. I do it because I want to do it, but I also feel if you work in any form of industry there comes a time where you need to pay back. We can only do that with our time and expertise."
Debbie Bridge, head of UCO, saidd: "We have always tried to make sure that we have nominated local people with connections to Oldham.
"The work that Sarah is doing, in acting and directing, really is inspirational to a range of our students. She is someone who has been so successful in her career.
"Here at UCO it’s an important day for students and their families."
There were 160 students honoured at the ceremony last week, all of whom had successfully completed courses varying from degrees to higher national certificates and diplomas.
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