Television star Jimmy De Ville and former Chief Nursing Officer Dame Christine Beasley DBE will receive honorary degrees at next week's Bucks New University graduation celebrations. 

De Ville, 39, studied Product Design at the university in Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, and stars as an ‘extreme engineer’ in the programme Engine Addict with Jimmy De Ville on Quest TV, which starts a new series on September 8.

He will receive an honorary master’s degree.

Dame Christine, who was previously chair of council at the university, is a former Chief Nursing Officer for England and is being honoured for her career and her broad experience of policy development and leadership.

Dame Christine will receive an honorary doctorate.

Bucks New University’s week of celebrations sees graduates receiving their degrees in ceremonies at the Wycombe Swan Theatre.

Other honorary recipients are Carol Gaskin, governor with responsibility for safer custody, healthcare and segregation at Wormwood Scrubs prison, who receives an honorary MSc and Angie Camden of Independent Voices, a volunteer organisation involved in the training of nurses at the University, who also receives an honorary MSc.

Bucks New University Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebecca Bunting said: “The ceremonies mark an important turning point for graduating students as they embark on a new stage in their lives.

“We are really proud of our students’ achievements and delighted to recognise our honorary graduates.

“This is a key time for the University as we celebrate 125 years of higher learning and ten years as a University and we are looking forward to another memorable week.”