Taskmaster's Horne gets honorary University of Warwick doctorate

The Taskmaster presenter was recognised at a ceremony on Monday

Taskmaster presenter and comic Alex Horne has been awarded an honorary doctorate for his work helping to encourage primary school children to take an interest in higher education.

He was recognised by the University of Warwick at a ceremony on Monday.

"There are some genuine doctors in my family, so it's hilarious for me to get an honorary one," he said.

"Greg [Davies] has already got a doctorate, so he's quite annoyed as well," he said of his TV co-host.

"So it's great to make people feel unhappy."

He added: "My sister-in-law's a proper doctor, my dad's a doctor so they're keen to tell me it's not a proper thing, but my kids are going to have to call me Doctor Little Alex Horne every morning from now on."

His award had annoyed Taskmaster co-host Greg Davies, which was great, said Horne

The presenter had played a "key role" in the success of the university's School Tasking project, based on the popular Channel 4 show, the university said.

The initiative, developed by Dr Ali Struthers and run by the law department, brings the scheme into primary schools using interactive learning sessions.

"I'm being given this doctorate because I've supported a programme that other people have been far more responsible for," Horne explained.

"And yet, I am very happy to accept it, partly because it's a wonderful thing but also because I do so on behalf of Ali and her team and everyone who works on Taskmaster, and anyone who, like me, is worried that they don't know what they're going to do next."

The presenter was recognised for his work with the university's School Tasking project

Ahead of graduation, Horne spent the morning running a session with 30 children from a Coventry school.

The programme allowed the university to "sneakily get some messages across and engage them with university life, the law, and bigger themes, but mainly they're just having fun," he added.

The presenter is pictured with Dr Ali Struthers who runs the School Tasking project

Dr Struthers said the presenter's support for the scheme had been "integral to its growth and its ability to reach thousands of children each year".

"All of us involved truly appreciate him taking time out of his mind-bogglingly busy schedule to make the project that little bit more special for all of the children involved.

"And I, in particular, will always be additionally indebted to him. I have no doubt that he played a fairly significant role in me not getting sued by the production company."