Across the country, as GCSE and A-level students nervously await their results, graduates are putting on their gowns and popping the champagne.
And there are a few famous faces enjoying the cap and gown this year too, with UK universities awarding honorary degrees to celebrities including Joe Wicks, two Lionesses and Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn, among others.
This week, Davinia McCall said she was overwhelmed with pride and love as she revealed that she and her eldest daughter, Holly, graduated in the same week on Thursday.
The 22-year-old daughter of the former Big Brother presenter earned her degree at Newcastle University and Davina, 56, revealed she has also received an honorary degree in civil law for her work around women’s health.
The star posted a radiant photo of herself dressing up in a graduation gown before collecting her PhD, with her doting boyfriend Michael Douglas there to support her.
Davina was awarded an honorary degree in civil law this week for her work on women’s health.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 7 Davina McCall Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpg.webp)
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 9 Davina McCall, 56, was overwhelmed with pride and love as she revealed that she and her eldest daughter Holly graduated in the same week (pictured with boyfriend Michael Douglas)](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618593_597_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpeg.webp)
Davina McCall, 56, was overwhelmed with pride and love as she revealed that she and her eldest daughter Holly graduated in the same week (pictured with boyfriend Michael Douglas)
She captioned her post: ‘I I was awarded an honorary doctorate in civil law for my work in the media and around women’s health. To achieve this with @mdlondon and my children by my side (Tilly, you were with me in my heart) was very, very special.
And Mel B was also celebrating similar honours. This week, the Spice Girl shared a rare snap with her three children as she celebrated receiving an honorary doctorate for her work with victims of domestic abuse.
Mel, 49, wore a custom-made leopard-print prom dress on Monday as she collected an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.
Sharing the family photos on social media, Mel wrote: ‘WOWWWWW I’m at a loss for words… 48 hours later I still feel so emotional… this day has been so special for me.’
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 11 Mel B looked sensational in a custom-made leopard-print prom dress on Monday as she received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618593_898_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpeg.webp)
Mel B looked sensational in a custom-made leopard-print prom dress on Monday as she received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 13 Mel B shared a rare snap with her three children Phoenix (right), Angel (center-right) and Madison (center-left) on Wednesday as she celebrated receiving an honorary doctorate for her work with victims of domestic abuse.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618594_9_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpeg.webp)
Mel B shared a rare snap with her three children Phoenix (right), Angel (center-right) and Madison (center-left) on Wednesday as she celebrated receiving an honorary doctorate for her work with victims of domestic abuse.
She added: ‘My family thanks you all for being here at this time too, you are all so special and I feel so honoured and happy to have you all with me at this time.
“I will think about this day A LOT and cry about it. There are so many emotions. Thank you all for your support. This is my mission, it’s about one thing: being a survivor – helping survivors, breaking the silence, and using my voice to help others.”
Mel said receiving an honorary doctorate was “as big an achievement as performing at Wembley Stadium with the Spice Girls”.
During a ceremony at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, the singer accepted the award recognising her campaigning efforts for victims of domestic abuse before posing with her three children, Phoenix, 25, Angel, 17, and Madison, 12.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 15 Gorillaz and Blur frontman Damon Albarn, who has a home in Devon, was honoured at Exeter University this week and told fellow graduates:](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618594_95_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpg.webp)
Gorillaz and Blur frontman Damon Albarn, who has a home in Devon, was honoured at Exeter University this week and told fellow graduates: “Trust your instincts and don’t take no for an answer.”
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 17 Former Love Island doctor Alex George shared the news this week that he has also been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Exeter for his campaigning to improve mental health support for young people.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618595_733_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpg.webp)
Former Love Island doctor Alex George shared the news this week that he has also been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Exeter for his campaigning to improve mental health support for young people.
Another musician sporting a dress this week was Blur frontman Damon Albarn, after he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Exeter.
The university said the Gorillaz star received the degree.in recognition of their creativity, innovation and commitment to environmental causes.”
Albarn, 56, described the honour as “a bit of an elevation” – his last visit to Exeter University had been to collect his driving theory certificate.
Addressing the students, he said: “There are many ways in which a single fact can become fragmented and distorted. Trust your instincts and don’t take no for an answer. Keep an open mind and go out and do good things.
And reality TV star Dr Alex George was also honoured by the South West University. The former Love Islander and emergency doctor was recognised for her campaigning for better support for young people’s mental health.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 19 Joe Wicks celebrated with his proud mother on Tuesday after receiving an honorary degree from Loughborough University in Leicestershire.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618595_696_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpeg.webp)
Joe Wicks celebrated with his proud mother on Tuesday after receiving an honorary degree from Loughborough University in Leicestershire.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 21 Joe recently spoke about his childhood and said his behavioral problems at school were caused by his high-sugar diet.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618596_130_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpeg.webp)
Joe recently spoke about his childhood and said his behavioral problems at school were caused by his high-sugar diet.
In the world of sport and fitness, Joe Wicks celebrated with his proud mother on Tuesday after receiving an honorary degree from Loughborough University in Leicestershire.
The country’s favourite fitness guru, nicknamed Body Coach, looked delighted as he posed with his mother Raquela on his back after the performance.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 23 Back in Leeds, Lucy Bronze was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university from which she first graduated in 2014.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618596_242_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpg.webp)
Back in Leeds, Lucy Bronze was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university from which she first graduated in 2014.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 25 Bronze, who has just signed for Chelsea, worked at Domino's while studying.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618596_417_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpg.webp)
Bronze, who has just signed for Chelsea, worked at Domino’s while studying.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 27 1721618597 915 Davina McCall Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618597_915_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpg.webp)
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 29 Fellow Lioness and Chelsea star Millie Bright also shared this photo of herself earning a degree from Derby University.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618597_14_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpeg.webp)
Fellow Lioness and Chelsea star Millie Bright also shared this photo of herself earning a degree from Derby University.
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 31 Defender becomes Derby's first ever Freewoman after receiving the honour](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618598_760_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpeg.webp)
Defender becomes Derby’s first ever Freewoman after receiving the honour
![Davina McCall, Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon Albarn join the University of Fame by receiving honorary degrees from UK universities (no thesis required) 33 1721618598 230 Davina McCall Lionesses Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright and Damon](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/07/1721618598_230_Davina-McCall-Lionesses-Lucy-Bronze-and-Millie-Bright-and-Damon.jpg.webp)
Two of England’s Lionesses swapped their football uniforms for academic attire, and Lucy Bronze, like Mel B, was honoured with an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett.
The England star, who has just signed for Chelsea, attended university while juggling the start of his football career, studying sports science while playing for Everton and Liverpool between 2010 and 2014.
Her teammate and Chelsea star Millie Bright was also honoured, sharing a photo of herself in cap and gown graduating from the University of Derby.
The defender becomes Derby’s first ever Freewoman after receiving the honour.
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