Suzy Izzard awarded honorary doctorate

Suzy Izzard says it is an "honour" to be recognised for her work as an actor, comedian, activist and philanthropist

Suzy Izzard has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sussex for her work as an actor, comedian, activist and philanthropist.

Izzard, who spent a large part of her childhood in Bexhill and Eastbourne, was conferred a doctor of the university at a ceremony on Monday.

Alongside her acting and comedy career, the 63-year-old is a long-term campaigner for LGBT rights and has completed several mammoth challenges for charity.

Of the award, she said: "It is even more special that this is being awarded by the University of Sussex as this is the county in which I grew up in and one which holds a special place in my heart."

Izzard's charity work includes raising £1.8m for Sport Relief by completing 43 marathons in 51 days in 2009, alongside a further £1.35m for the same charity when she ran 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa.

She was one of six honorary graduands to be recognised at Monday's ceremony, with former Labour MP Ben Bradshaw and writer and AIDS activist Simon Watney among the others.

Vice-chancellor and president of the University of Sussex, Prof Sasha Roseneil, said: "We are grateful to all our honorary graduands for their inspirational public service in their respective fields and for all they have done to make the world a progressively better place."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.