Bill Roache awarded with doctorate

Coronation Street's Bill Roache is being awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Chester.

The actor, the only original cast-member who still stars on the ITV1 soap, is receiving the honour for his "uniquely sustained contribution" to television.

Journalist and broadcaster Joan Bakewell will also be awarded with a doctorate at a ceremony on Friday which will be attended by 500 other graduates.

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Wheeler, explained: "In Chester, we are fortunate to be able to tap into a rich vein of achievement, talent and philanthropy. Bill Roache and Joan Bakewell demonstrate all these attributes magnificently."