
Lulu to receive honorary doctorate after six decades in spotlight
Lulu is to be awarded an honorary doctorate for her 'extraordinary' contribution to music.
The Scottish singer will be recognised by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Thursday, July 3.
She will be joined by around 300 students who are graduating across music, drama, dance, production, film and education at the conservatoire in Glasgow.
Lulu, 76, has spent more than 60 years in the spotlight, having risen to stardom in her early teens with her breakout hit Shout.
She has not let the subsequent decades slow her down, having performed at Glastonbury last year as well as her sell-out Champagne for Lulu tour in 2024, which she said was her last.
The Grammy Award-winner has a string of performances lined up this year, including at Mighty Hoopla in London, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and the HebCelt Festival in the Outer Hebrides.
She said: 'I'm so honoured to be nominated for an honorary doctorate and I'm so excited to join students for their summer graduation.
'The performing arts are so vital to our culture, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a fabulous institution. I can't wait to celebrate with everyone.'
Also receiving honorary doctorates are Scottish theatre designer Bunny Christie and American jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.
Christie said: 'As a production designer born in Scotland, I am delighted to accept an honorary doctorate in production from the world-renowned Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which trains the young designers of the future who join the UK's hugely successful and profitable, visual and creative industries.'
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: 'Honorary doctorates are awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their respective fields and our cultural landscape, and Bunny Christie, Lulu and Wynton Marsalis exemplify this at the highest level.
'Bunny Christie's groundbreaking set and costume designs have elevated theatrical storytelling, Lulu has redefined what it means to be a performer – from timeless hits to her versatility across music, stage and television – and Wynton Marsalis's mastery and advocacy for jazz, classical and music education have cemented his legacy as one of the world's great musical ambassadors.
'We're looking forward to welcoming them to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in July, where we'll celebrate our graduating class of 2025.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Scots Language Awards officially launched for 2025
The Scots Language Awards — organised by Hands Up For Trad, a group that promotes traditional Scottish music in the mainstream media — was launched for 2025 on Thursday and will take place in Cumnock Town Hall, Ayrshire, again on 13 September. The annual ceremony aims to recognise figures and organisations that encourage use of the Scots language in wider society, and categories will include business, literature, community work and more. READ MORE: Home and half an island owned by famous Scottish shark hunter up for sale Simon Thoumire, Scots Language Award organiser and Hands Up For Trad creative director, said: "The Scots leid is gaun fae strength tae strength, and we're thrilled tae see the Scots Language Awards return tae Ayrshire, hame tae sic a rich cultural heritage. 'This event isn't jist a celebration o the wunnerfu talents in Scots music, literature, an community endeavors, but a recognition o the leid's vital role in oor Scottish identity. 'We can't wait tae bring the Scots language community thegither again, and wi' new initiatives lik the Scots Hoose school sessions, we're ensuring the next generation can share in the pride an passion for oor mither tongue. It's set tae be a nicht tae remember, an we cannae wait!' The launch coincides with 'Gies a Scots Poem Day' 2025, an initiative created by the Scottish Poetry Library, which aims to promote Scots language poetry in all of its forms, including Doric, Shetlandic and Dundonian. READ MORE: Deacon Blue issue update as bandmate 'seriously ill' in hospital East Ayrshire Provost, Claire Leitch, said: 'I'm awfa chuffed that the Scots Language Award will return tae East Ayrshire this year. I'm looking forward to gaun along, celebrating the talented performers and aw the folk fae across Scotland who are dedicated who are encouraging us to use oor 'mither tongue'! It's gonnae be another stoater o a nicht! 'For me, there's nuhun more important than staying true to who we aw ur, and encouraging oor communities and weans to use and celebrate the Scots language. 'Definitely get yersel a ticket quick. As Jack fae Still Game says - "He who hingeth aboot getteth heehaw!' Hands Up For Trad are also partnering with learning resource Scots Hoose to deliver Scots language lessons in schools across the country. A range of musicians and poets will perform at the ceremony this year, including Edinburgh Scots singer Amy Leach and local Burns purveyor Wullie Dick. Scots Language Awards nominations will be open from July 28 until August 10, with voting for shortlisted nominees taking place from August 25 until September 7. Further information regarding ticketing will be available on the event's website soon.


The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
Stormzy takes first acting role as he launches film production company
After conquering the charts, Glastonbury's Pyramid stage and launching his own publishing imprint, Stormzy is taking his first steps into the world of movies with starring in a short film about the travails of an ex-rapper. Big Man will be made by the rap star's own production company Merky Films in association with Apple, and feature Stormzy – in a sizable wig – as the lead character Tenzman, 'a former rap star now navigating a restless and uncertain chapter of his life'. The film is directed by Aneil Karia, who won an Oscar in 2022 for his short film The Long Goodbye, which starred Riz Ahmed. Released on YouTube on 18 June, Big Man blends 'humour, vulnerability and quiet transformation', according to the team behind it, who added that 'the film thoughtfully explores themes of reconnecting with your younger self and embracing gratitude'. 'It's a natural next step for everything we do at #Merky,' Stormzy added. 'Sharing our stories, spotlighting important voices and making room for those who deserve to be seen and heard.' Stormzy has built a growing empire away from his music work that blends grant-giving, literature and sport – with a book imprint (#Merky Books, which is part of Penguin Random House), #Merky FC in collaboration with Adidas, and his own foundation. The rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, said that the film company is something he has 'been dreaming about for ages', calling it a space for 'powerful British stories and a solid home for fresh, unexpected art'. He said: 'I hope you love our first project, Big Man, as much as we loved making it. For me, it's all about the joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth – that feeling like life is one big adventure and the world's your playground. I hope it inspires you to dream bigger, live louder and hold on to that unapologetic energy that comes with being young.' #Merky Films is also developing a drama series and what it is calling 'a seminal biopic that promises to leave a lasting cultural mark', although the subject of the film is to be confirmed. The company is also working on what it calls 'thought-provoking documentaries', a 'bold new animation project' and a 'boundary-pushing, new-age mockumentary'. Stormzy will be joined on screen by Klevis Brahja, who was street cast for his part, and Jaydon Eastman, who starred in The Lion King UK and Ireland tour as Young Simba. The news came after Black British film-makers and producers told the Guardian they were 'fighting over scraps' amid lack of opportunities, with some claiming conditions are worse now than before the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Andy Mundy-Castle, the founder of the indie company Doc Hearts, who won a Bafta and a Royal Television Society award in 2024 for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child, said despite critical acclaim it was as difficult as ever to get commissions. 'You are so far removed from the top of the food chain that you just get the scraps … we aren't given the biggest opportunities,' he said.


Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
Dakota Johnson had bizarre asparagus murder dream about Glastonbury headliner
Dakota Johnson has confessed she had a really bizarre dream about one particular frontman involving asparagus and murder. She revealed a Glastonbury headliner had recently haunted her dreams while on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast. Surprisingly, it wasn't her (reportedly ex) boyfriend and five time Pyramid Stage pro Chris Martin — instead it was a veggie-morphing nightmare about Matty Healy. 'I actually had a dream the other night,' the Madame Web star laughed. 'Matty Healy from The 1975 was in my dream and he was murdering people, and he was Matty Healy as himself.' We're not sure why the son of Denise Welch was on a killing spree, or who exactly he was enacting his fatal revenge on. Dakota, 35, revealed this wasn't even the weirdest part of the dream as the Somebody Else singer had a really handy trick for avoiding capture. 'When the people were looking for him—they were cops maybe, he would turn into a piece of asparagus.' To this, Amy burst out laughing and joked 'so people just run past him?' prompting a fine piece of acting from Dakota as she pretended to be an asparagus. Well, that's certainly one stage antic we've not seen from him so far but you never know when it comes to Matty, 36. The 1975 frontman — who famously dated Taylor Swift in 2023 — wasn't the only one becoming one of your five-a-day in Dakota's mind. 'I saw these two poles and a bed and I was like, 'Matty?'' the Fifty Shades of Grey icon said. 'The sheets came down and it was him as an asparagus and Angelina Jolie as an asparagus. 'They were getting married, and they left in a helicopter together as asparagai. [sic]' Congratulations are in order then it seems for these asparagus-ified celebrities. 'That is such a weird dream,' responded Amy. 'You might be getting too much sleep.' Apparently Chris, 48, was incredibly supportive of this strange vegetable superpower and said the whole thing would make a good film plot. The couple, who had been together for nearly eight years, have gone their separate ways as reported by an insider to People Magazine. This mirrors intense speculation that they had broken up last year, but they swiftly squashed the rumors — neither have spoken about this split so far. Despite this, the Yellow hitmaker gave Dakota a shout out at his June 1 show in California, telling the crowd to 'Be kind to yourself, be kind to each other'. He then added 'Don't forget to see Materialists!' which is the name of Dakota's upcoming film. More Trending Coldplay won't be taking to the Pyramid Stage this year at Glastonbury… unless they're Patchwork or another TBA (now there's a thought). However, The 1975 are set to headline on Friday night and while he's not going around turning into a big green vegetable, Matty's problematic behaviour has raised some eyebrows. Here's hoping Worthy Farm goes off without any controversial remarks from the About You singer — and without any asparagus. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) rapper Silentó sentenced to 30 years for killing cousin MORE: Sabrina Carpenter sparks huge backlash over 'disturbing' new album cover MORE: Scarface and Ghostbusters star Harris Yulin dies age 88