FORMER Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati was delighted to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton

The actress became a household name for her role as Anita in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies and as Sunita in the Manchester-based soap for more than a decade.

She was awarded a Doctor of Arts for her outstanding contribution to Entertainment and the Community.

She received the award in a unique Covid-secure ceremony which was being filmed for a special movie documenting this year’s innovative ‘Alternative Graduation’.

Honorary doctorates are being awarded this week in advance of the student ‘Alternative Graduation’ events which start on Friday July 9.

Collecting her doctorate, Shobna said: “You couldn’t see it, but I was smiling under the mask.

“I am overwhelmed and so pleased to be receiving this honour. My parents would be extremely proud of me today.”

Shobna, from Oldham, who is a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester, has worked extensively in theatre and TV, including Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Eastenders, Where the Heart Is and was a regular on ITV's Loose Women until 2014.

She was a semi- finalist in Celebrity Masterchef for the BBC had appeared in Soapstar Superstar and Stars in their Eyes for ITV. She will be seen later this year in Best Home Cook (BBC). Shobna has also written and directed the critically acclaimed comedy show for young women The Masala Girls.

She has just finished filming the role of Ray in the upcoming feature film Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and received critical acclaim for her memoir, REMEMBER ME? Discovering My Mother As She Lost Her Memory, which was published last autumn.

Also collecting honourary doctorates were Alistair Jarvis, the chief executive of universities UK.

He received the honour of Doctor of Education for his contribution to higher education and particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alistair praised the university for its Covid repsonse and said : "I am delighted to be joining the University of Bolton community."

Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive of Knowsley Chamber of commerce collected her honour of Doctor of Business Administration for her contribution to business and commerce.

She said: “It was really unexpected. When I got the letter, I had to read it at least three times before it sunk in.

“I am absolutely thrilled. In my role I go to a lot of ceremonies and watch other people receiving awards and so it was humbling to be receiving this honour myself.”