Greg James 'thrilled' to receive honorary degree

Greg James said he had been nervous before giving his speech at the graduation ceremony as it meant so much to those present

Radio 1 DJ Greg James said it had been a "fantastic day" as he received an honorary degree from the University of York.

He was chosen for the honour for his "remarkable contribution to society" and for championing mental health, according to the university's vice chancellor.

However, his connection with the institution also involves an unusually tall duck that became an online sensation and was regularly mentioned on the presenter's shows.

His fondness for "Long Boi" saw him lead a memorial service and unveil a statue after its death.

Other people being honoured by the University of York this year were Handmaid's Tale author Margaret Atwood and historian Greg Jenner.

James said receiving his honorary degree had been "very thrilling".

"I feel very proud to receive this and it was a real genuine delight to watch all those very clever people receiving their degrees and Masters.

"It was a fantastic day. It was very inspiring actually."

He admitted to a few nerves ahead of his speech to his fellow graduates.

"It means a lot to all the people who were in there, that they'd done something really magical.

"All their family and friends are there and you don't want to mess it up."

Greg James, dressed in black and wearing a mourning veil, unveiled a statue of Long Boi in 2024

Long Boi, a 28in (70cm) cross between a mallard and an Indian runner duck, was regularly featured on James' show after gaining fame among students and is believed to have died in 2023 after vanishing from the campus.

He admitted the initial idea of Britain's tallest duck had been too funny to resist and it had captured the listeners' attention.

"It spiralled into this ridiculous movement," he said.

"I love taking small things on the breakfast show and then taking them to their most ludicrous conclusion.

"And the ludicrous conclusion was doing a state funeral live on the Radio 1 breakfast show from the same hall where they give out the scrolls."

He said he believed "silliness" could really cut through the "world beautifully, the absurd world, the sad bits of the world".

"So it was about a dead duck but really it was about everyone being together and celebrating something silly.

"At the core of everything people want to laugh, that's the one thing that unites every single person."

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