Rivals welcome Albion fan Frank with open arms

Albion fan Frank Skinner stepped into "enemy territory" at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre to receive an honorary degree from the city's university.

Speaking about attending derby matches at Molineux, the 52-year-old Black Country funnyman joked he normally entered the city flanked by riot officers and police outriders.

Skinner, who went to Moat Farm Infant School and St Hubert's RC before moving to Oldbury Technical secondary school, now Warley College, achieved a degree in English in his own right after leaving Chance Glassworks in Smethwick to return to education. He went on to obtain a Masters from Warwick University.

Head of drama Dr Ruth Shade's introductory speech was continually interrupted by laughter at Skinner's comical facial expressions, and he was loudly cheered when he stepped up to accept his doctorate.

He said: "As a West Brom fan, I feel like I'm on enemy territory, come to smoke the pipe of peace."

He spoke of attending football matches between the two rival teams and his Black Country roots before warmly congratulating the students.

He said: "I'm a big fan of education. I thought my destiny was to work in a factory until I died but education opened up my life. I was the first person in my family to get a degree and it changed me completely.

"I spent my student days in the 80s getting drunk, watching daytime TV and not doing any work."

Skinner, real name Chris Collins, was awarded the degree for services to entertainment. He was presented with it alongside students from the university's school of sport, performing arts and leisure and described the award as "a great honour".nextpage