A TV personality known for his role heading up a dance troupe that won Britain's Got Talent and in ITV1's The Real Full Monty has been given an honorary degree.

Ashley Banjo MBE has been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of East Anglia (UEA). 

He shot to fame in 2009 as the leader of the dance troupe Diversity which pipped opera singer Susan Boyle to the post to win the third series of Britain's Got Talent.

He has also headed up the ITV's charity show The Real Full Monty and has appeared on the judging panel for Dancing on Ice since 2018.

Banjo (right) joined the Dancing on Ice judging panel alongside Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean (centre) and Oti Mabuse (left)Banjo (right) joined the Dancing on Ice judging panel alongside Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean (centre) and Oti Mabuse (left) (Image: PA Media) Banjo shared the news with his one million Instagram followers, after an awards ceremony at the University Centre South Essex.

He said: "I’m so humbled to say that the University of East Anglia presented me with an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa.

"I am so proud of this one.

"In truth, I thought long and hard about whether I felt worthy to even accept.

"Not out of a lack of self-worth, but out of respect for all the graduates who have shown incredible determination to achieve their degrees.

"They are all incredible.

"But in the end, I realised that we all have very different journeys to sometimes arrive at the same destination.

Banjo joined his dance troupe Diversity for a show at Earlham Park in 2018Banjo joined his dance troupe Diversity for a show at Earlham Park in 2018 (Image: Archant) "This feels like not only an acknowledgment of my achievements but validation that authenticity really is key and following your heart is so important. 

"I will keep doing my best to build, to inspire, to lead and to further elevate others where I can.

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"All of us have the potential to go and build our own legacy.

The UEA has awarded several other honorary doctoratesThe UEA has awarded several other honorary doctorates (Image: Archant)

"Try to embrace your creativity, uniqueness and always have fun in the process.

"Congratulations once again to all the graduates and thank you to the university."

Banjo joins Myleene Klass and Adam Kay as an honorary doctorate graduate at the UEA.