Elbow's Guy Garvey given Manchester Met University degree

Elbow won the Mercury Prize in 2008 for their fourth album The Seldom Seen Kid

Singer Guy Garvey has been awarded an honorary degree for his contribution to music, at a ceremony in Manchester.

The Elbow frontman was made an honorary Doctor Of Arts by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) at Bridgewater Hall earlier.

The 38-year-old, from Bury, is also known for presenting a weekly show on BBC 6 Music.

Elbow released their first album in 2001 and have won two Ivor Novello awards, a Brit and the Mercury Prize.

'Join the clan'

Their fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid, won the Mercury Prize in 2008.

In November 2011 the band were chosen by the BBC to provide the soundtrack for the London 2012 Olympic coverage.

Garvey called the degree an unexpected gift and an honour.

He said: "I was having an 'oh my God I'm almost 40 moment' when I opened the letter from the vice chancellor of MMU.

"I'm one of seven kids and the only one that didn't go to university as I decided to stay in the band.

"My mum stuck a picture of me singing on the degree wall at home many years ago, but now I can finally join the clan wearing the right outfit."

Fashion designer

He added: "The young people that come to Manchester and Salford to be educated, teach or research are the life blood that keeps this city's heart pumping.

"I know many tutors and students from MMU and know what an amazing university it is."

The ceremony for the university's Faculty of Art and Design also saw hundreds of undergraduate students graduate.

Fashion designer Sarah Burton, who created Kate Middleton's wedding dress, will also be receiving an honorary degree from the university.

Other recipients this year include television presenter Gethin Jones, filmmaker Mike Leigh, business expert Prof Richard Thorpe, former Barnardo's chief executive Martin Narey, peer and leader of Wigan Council Lord Peter Smith and chairman of the Aldridge Foundation Sir Rod Aldridge.