Sir Lenny Henry calls Birmingham City University role a ‘huge honour’

“If someone had told me when I was a kid, going to comprehensive school, that one day that I’d be a chancellor of a university, I would’ve said: ‘You’re mad,’” Mr Adepitan said.

He added that he had always considered Sir Lenny to be one of his heroes.

During his time at BCU, Sir Lenny helped to set up the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.

It went on to become one of the largest producers of creative professionals outside the south-east of England.

Sir Lenny said it had been a privilege to represent an institution which had given hope and opportunity to many.

“The fact that it’s one of the most diverse universities in the country is wonderful,” he said.

He added: “Wherever you’re from, whatever your gender or ethnicity, these are your people, and you’re giving them the [graduation ceremony] day that they are going to remember for the rest of their lives.”

He said he would miss it because of the people he had met, and said the university staff had been “great”.

“The students have applied themselves and worked so hard,” he said.

“People just bring it all when they come to the graduation ceremony. It’s been beautiful.”