Clarissa Dickson Wright, 51, a former alcoholic who trained as a barrister, was elected after three recounts.

Ms Dickson Wright won 941 votes compared to 718 for her nearest rival, former Royal Marines Major Richard Eccles. Trailing in third and fourth place were the former editor of The Scotsman, Magnus Linklater, and retired gynaecologist Dr Norman Allan.

Her populist manifesto included fighting tuition fees, pressing for a bar on campus and lowering students' "horrendous" bus fares.

In her election address Ms Dickson Wright said: "Having been to university myself and experienced life as a student, I fully appreciate the difficulties you are facing.

'Experience of life'

"I have had a greater experience of life than most people, having spent periods travelling, as a barrister and fighting alcoholism, all of which helped me to see problems from a different perspective."

Ironically the three losing candidates were present at the count but the eccentric TV celebrity was nowhere to be found.

In fact she was in London at a book-signing event but she told a student supporter by phone she was very happy and was looking forward to getting on with the job.

The Rectorship dates back to the university's foundation in 1495.

The post fell vacant with the death of Scottish Nationalist MEP Allan Macartney.