Deacon Blue drummer awarded honorary degree

DEACON Blue drummer and broadcaster Dougie Vipond has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Stirling University.

He received the award for his outstanding contribution to music, broadcasting and community at the university’s spring graduation ceremony yesterday.

Dougie, who is originally from Renfrewshire, said: “I am flattered and humbled by this award.

“I shed a few tears when I opened the letter and discovered I was to be given an honorary doctorate.

“The University of Stirling is an extraordinary centre of excellence and for them to think I’m worthy of this is unbelievable.

“I would like to thank the University for this recognition.”

Dougie is a former student of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in Glasgow and was playing drums with Deacon Blue while studying classical music at the performing arts centre.

In 1987, Deacon Blue’s first single Dignity propelled them to stardom and the band has since made 10 studio albums and sold more than seven million records, with their first three albums going platinum.

The band split in 1994 when Dougie was only 27, and he decided to change direction and pursue a career as a television presenter.

He began his career at Scottish Television, presenting NB, before he went on to front extreme sports series The Adventure Show for the BBC.

He was also an anchor for Reporting Scotland and BBC Scotland’s flagship football programme, Sportscene, and a presenter of many other sports including rugby, curling and athletics. He was the first Scottish rugby presenter for Premier Sports and Viaplay and even enjoyed a short stint as co- host of ITV’s This Morning.

He is currently the presenter of long- running farming and countryside programme Landward but still finds time to tour with Deacon Blue who reformed in 1999.

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, principal and vice- chancellor of Stirling University, said: “Dougie Vipond’s achievements in music and broadcasting are inspiring. His success with Deacon Blue and as a versatile broadcaster makes him a fantastic role model for our students.

“Everyone at the university enjoyed celebrating with Dougie, our latest cohort of graduates, and their families and friends.”