A BAFTA-winning actor, the first brother and sister to win medals at the same Olympic Games since 1908 and a Crown Court Judge who campaigns against discrimination and homophobia are among those to be awarded honorary degrees from Keele University.  

Toby Jones, who played a lead role in the ITV drama 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office', won a BAFTA for his performance in comedy series 'Detectorists', and played Neil Baldwin in the BBC drama 'Marvellous' is among those set to be honoured.

Olympic brother and sister duo, Tom and Emily Ford are also set to be honoured in recognition of their achievements in rowing.

They will receive the awards alongside thousands of students who are set to graduate in ceremonies in July - which also includes the first cohort from the Harper & Keele Veterinary School. 

The full list of this year's honours from Keele University:  

• Actor Toby Jones; who won a BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for his role in The Detectorists, played the lead role in a TV series about the Post Office scandal and portrayed Neil Baldwin, a much-loved figure on Keele campus, in the BBC TV drama "Marvellous";   
• Cheshire siblings Tom and Emily Ford, who won gold and bronze medals in rowing at the Paris Olympics;   
• His Honour Judge Edward Connell, a Keele alumnus, who helped set up the Association of LGBTQ+ Judges;   
• Fellow Keele alumnus Dr Athula Attygalle, a globally respected chemist with more than 250 peer-reviewed publications;    
• Keele alumnus Professor Abid Ali Malik, a leading authority in global mental health, intervention science, and translational research;   
• Staffordshire actress and writer Rebekah Staton, who is known for playing Della in Raised by Wolves, and as Louise from Pulling, for which she was nominated for a British Comedy Award.   

A well, Richard Barnes, who served 17 years as Chief Financial Officer at Waterford Wedgwood and was a founding Director of Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency, will also be appointed to Keele's College of Fellows.

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: "We're delighted to welcome all our honorary graduates to Keele University and recognise their exceptional achievements and outstanding contribution to society. 

"It's particularly pleasing to have three former students who have gone on to achieve great things joining us back on our campus, while we're also welcoming four new people into the Keele family.

"Graduation is always a special time at the university, when we celebrate with our graduates and their families and recognise all the hard work the students have put in throughout their studies. 

"It's an exciting time for students as they approach the next step in their lives and we wish them every success for the future."

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