Sean Bean a double Don Valley Don

Sean Bean became a Doctor of Letters at Sheffield University

Tough guy actor Sean Bean returned to his South Yorkshire roots on Friday to give his backing to a local hospital appeal and receive an honorary degree.

Bean, who starred in The Lord Of The Rings, launched the Sheffield Leukaemia and Blood Disorders Appeal.

The actor then joined hundreds of graduates who received their degrees from Sheffield University.

Bean said he was proud to receive the honour - the second time he has been awarded a doctorate in Sheffield.

Wearing a red gown and surrounded by graduates he attracted plenty of attention at the graduation ceremony.

His honorary doctorate at Sheffield University was not his first brush with academia.

"I did get a doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University about 11 or 12 years ago so now I'm a double doctor.

"But this was wonderful, especially from my home city."

Earlier in the day his challenge was to turn gardener in the grounds of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital where he helped plant a tree marking the launch of a fundraising appeal to equip a new leukaemia ward at the hospital.

"My father spent some time here a few weeks ago and so it has an extra interest for me as well," he said.