Journalist Joe Riley has received an honorary degree from Liverpool John Moores University.

The Liverpool Echo arts editor swapped his notebook and pen for a mortar board and gown to be made an Honorary Fellow in a ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral.

Joe said: "This is the first time anyone at the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo has been honoured for their work on the newspaper.

"I'm indebted to the paper because without it, this wouldn't have happened.

"The Echo has been my forum and all the fantastic people I've met and worked with have helped me to reach this honour."

Joe's career has spanned three decades and his list of interviewees reads like a who's who in the arts world, with stars such as Jack Nicholson, Steven Spielberg, Shirley Bassey, and Sir Paul McCartney.

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