Honorary degrees 2009
4 November 2009
Radio 1 DJ, Scott Mills, has received an honorary degree in recognition of his contribution to the media industries.
Solent University awarded Southampton born Scott the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts during a ceremony at Southampton Guildhall on 4 November.
Scott said: "I'm extremely proud to receive this degree from my hometown university. It means a lot and I know I am in extremely good company when I look at the other recipients on the roll of honour. My mum can't believe that I have a degree - she's over the moon!"
Scott Mills is best known for The Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1, which attracts more than six million listeners each week. He began his career at Hampshire radio station Power FM, where, aged just 16, he was the youngest permanent presenter on mainstream commercial radio. He moved to GWR FM, Piccadilly 103 in Manchester and Heart 106.2, before joining the BBC in 1998 to present The Early Breakfast Show.
Scott also has a number of TV credits, including Channel 4’s Skins and Hollyoaks, Casualty (BBC1) and The Bill (ITV). He has also presented The National Lottery, the National TV Awards and was most recently seen on two of his own shows on Living TV featuring the actor David Hasselhoff. Last August - following a suggestion by listeners that he create a show based on his life -Scott Mills the Musical made its debut at the Edinburgh Festival.
Scott graduated in one of 10 ceremonies for 2,000 students graduating from Southampton Solent University at Southampton Guildhall.
Scott didn’t get the chance to go to university as he went straight into the industry, so he was delighted with Solent University’s recognition of his success. He said: “I never thought I would be in this position. I had a lot of people who helped me when I started my career in radio. But if I started again now I would have been really interested in doing the kind of courses offered here today.”
For further information contact Solent University's Media Office on 023 8031 9040