Queen's honour for BBC's Kielty

Kielty became a Doctor of the University

BBC presenter Patrick Kielty has been honoured by Queen's University in Belfast for services to the performing arts.

The County Down star was conferred with an honorary doctorate on Wednesday.

Kielty, who becomes a Doctor of the University, co-opened the Comedy Club at the Empire in Belfast while studying at Queen's.

He had his first major television break on BBC Northern Ireland hosting his own live show and soon progressed to national television, both with his own chatshow, Patrick Kielty Almost Live, and as co-presenter of the Fame Academy series.

After the ceremony, he said: "John Cole was getting the honorary doctorate - you have this man who has had a political (journalism) career of 40 years telling interesting things about life.

"People were hanging on to every word. And you could see that as soon as I walked in, people were saying: 'Okay, we're in our 20s and you're in your 30s, what can we learn?' And basically from the speech they learnt nothing," he joked.

In her citation, Professor Carol McGuinness of the School of Psychology paid tribute to Kielty.

"He is one of Northern Ireland's most celebrated entertainers - as a stand-up comedian, as a TV presenter, and as a celebrity who is committed to charitable causes."

Liam Neeson will receive his honour at the university's winter ceremony

She said he was one of the province's best known celebrities through his various television programmes.

"In particular, he distinguished himself by co-hosting the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics in Dublin last year, when his sensitive handling of this occasion won him many admirers and brought him to the attention of a world-wide television audience.

"We would like to recognise Patrick for his work - most of all, for making us laugh."

University Chancellor former US senator George Mitchell presided at the ceremony.

Kielty spoke during the ceremony for the faculty of Legal, Social and Educational Sciences, which conferred the honour.

Meanwhile, three-times winner of the World Blind Water Ski Championship, Janet Gray from Hillsborough in County Down, will be honoured by the university on Friday.

Janet, who is still recovering from a near fatal accident in Florida, will receive her doctorate for services to sport.

Belfast-born actor Stephen Rea, who is also a Queen's graduate, received an honorary doctorate from the university on Monday.

International film star Liam Neeson will receive his honorary degree during the winter graduation ceremonies in December.

Professor Kim Barrett, one of the world's most prominent female scientists, and historian Thomas Pakenham will also accept their awards in December.