Marr to teach music at Salford university

Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr has been appointed a professor of music at the University of Salford.

The Modest Mouse star has moved from his home in the US to teach students on the BA course in popular music and recording.

Marr, 43, has a long-running connection with the area and described the Smiths' 1986 gig at the university as one of the best he ever played, saying: "The PA had to be tied down because the floor was bouncing up so high that the stage was practically falling to pieces."

He was born in nearby Ardwick and the band famously appeared outside the local Salford Lads' Club for the inside cover of 1985 album The Queen is Dead.

Marr said of the post: "It is an honour to be appointed as a professor and I'm excited at the prospect of being able to make a contribution."