A former reporter-turned-folk singer has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University.

John Tams, who lives near Derby, worked on the weekly Derbyshire Times before swapping pad and pen for the stage.

In 2000, he released his first solo album Unity and has also won a string of accolades including a Sony Radio Award and BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

He has also worked in theatre, including a spell as associate director at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, and has writing credits for TV shows including ITV drama Sharpe.

John said: "I am very proud, and completely moved, to be honoured in this way. I left school at 15 with no qualifications.

"In those days kids like me didn't go to university and I always wondered whether it was something I'd missed out on.

"So I'm delighted to finally have this honorary degree, especially as I've got it without having to submit a final essay."