Bolton’s Jenny Ryan, ‘The Vixen’ from TV quiz show The Chase, said she was “overwhelmed” to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton.
Jenny, a prolific quiz contestant who has appeared in numerous TV shows, including Celebrity MasterChef and the final of X Factor Celebrity in 2019, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Arts for her outstanding contribution to television and entertainment.
The former Thornleigh Salesian College student told students and their families at the ceremony in Bolton town hall: “Congratulations graduates of 2022. Your hard work has paid off, enjoy your special day.
“To paraphrase a very wise man named Bradley: for you the chase is just beginning!”
Bolton Wanderers season ticket holder Jenny studied Law at the University of Leeds, where she helped the Leeds team reach the semi-finals of University Challenge.
She later worked as a writer and researcher on quiz and game shows including The Weakest Link and QI.
She said: “I’m a Boltonian born and bred. The thing about Bolton is that if you call Bolton home once, it will always be home. Whether you live here or not, whether you have family here or not, you are all Boltonians.
“We will watch with pride as you go on and achieve. And don’t forget you can always pop back for a brew!
Sharon Brittan, chairman of Bolton Wanderers, and Dr Helen Lowey, Bolton’s Director of Public Health. Sharon was awarded the degree of Doctor of the University for her outstanding contribution to sport and community.
In 2019, she fulfilled a dream she had harboured from the age of 15, when she became the owner of a professional football club alongside her consortium, Football Ventures.
At the time, Bolton Wanderers had endured almost a decade of decline and were at the brink of extinction.
She has worked tirelessly to ensure that Wanderers supporters, and the people and businesses of the town, have been brought back into the Bolton Family.
Sharon said she was honoured to receive the award and was very emotional about how welcome she had been made to feel since her arrival in Bolton.
Bolton Paralympic Gold medallist Ayaz Bhuta MBE was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science for his outstanding contribution to sport and the community.
Ayaz, who is the founder of AB10 Revolution, a community interest company that delivers workshops on disability in sport, and inclusive activities to schools, grew up in Bolton and attended Mount St Joseph's School, followed by Thornleigh Salesian Sixth Form College and the University of Bolton.
Not only did Ayaz secure Gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, he is a double European champion and European bronze medal winner.
He was awarded an MBE for his achievements and continues to inspire others with his motivational speeches across the UK.
North West singer and actress Lisa Stansfield, Clare Pollard, poet, playwright and novelist from Bolton, Julie Oldham, the former head of library and museum services at Bolton Council, and Ansar Hussain, a solicitor and former Bolton councillor with 38 years’ experience in legal practice.
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