KATE Rusby and Ian McMillan yesterday became honorary doctors of letters at the University Centre Barnsley.
Folk singer Kate was delighted to receive her first honorary degree, but poet Ian now has three.
Kate said: “I’m just so honoured. I was really shocked when I found out. I kept reading the letter over and over again.
“I never went to university, so I never thought I would qualify or be approached for it.”
Ian already has honorary degrees from Sheffield Hallam and North Staffordshire, but he said this was the best.
“I’m now Dr Dr Dr Ian McMillan, which makes me sound like a small motorbike.
“This is the best one - to be honoured by your own town.
“I always said if anybody offered me a knighthood I’d turn it down, but I wouldn’t turn down something like this.”
He added that the only other awards he would like now are an OBE and an earldom. “Then I’d be an earlobe,” he said.
