Comedian Josh Widdicombe awarded honorary degree by the University of Exeter

Comedian, author, presenter, and actor Josh Widdicombe was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Exeter. 

Josh is best known for his role in the multi-award-winning Channel 4 series The Last Leg, and for television appearances on comedy panel shows like Mock the Week, A League of Their Own, and Have I Got News For You.

Less common knowledge is that Josh grew up on Dartmoor and attended both South Dartmoor Community College and Exeter College.

The University of Exeter said that Josh delighted those in attendance at the graduation ceremony by reminiscing about his time in the South West, including the jobs he worked before fame, including at a petrol station in Totnes and on Dora the Explorer magazine.

He told the new graduates: “I can speak from experience that this is a great city to be a student. You’ve been spoiled. For the rest of your life you will never live in a city with a better Wetherspoons than the Imperial. Enjoy it while you can.”

Honorary degrees are symbolic recognitions customarily granted to individuals for outstanding achievement or to those who have contributed significantly to society through their work.

The comedian said he was “thrilled” to be honoured at a ceremony for those who had graduated in humanities subjects, some of which were recently identified as among the best in the world in the 2024 QS World University Subject Ranking.

He also offered this inspiring advice for the 2024 graduate cohort: “There is no better way to have spent three years of your life than studying the degrees you have. You are doing something which is so important - that is expressing yourself creatively and connecting with other people via writing and reading.

“We are all idiots muddling through. That is what nobody tells you. Nobody believes really that they know what they are doing. Life is absurd, embrace it. Laugh at yourself. Fun and play produces the best work. It gives you confidence to try things you wouldn’t and to go to places you would be otherwise too scared to go to. All the best art, music, and writing comes from places of excitement and childish play. Do not lose that.”

Josh took to Instagram to express his gratitude.

He said: “Due to an incredible decision, I am now an honorary Doctor of Letters. Thank you University of Exeter for proving how good I can look in a hat”.