Keith’s an honorary doctor – because he’s potty about Stoke!

Star of the Great Pottery Throw Down Keith Brymer Jones has praised Staffordshire University as having the best Art and Design course in the country.

Keith was addressing graduates after being awarded the University’s highest honour – Honorary Doctor of Arts – for his passionate support of Stoke-on-Trent and its ceramics industry.

He said: “The one thing I’ve noticed over the recent years of visiting Stoke is the incredible amount of creativity bubbling underneath the surface and culminating in one of the best Art and Design degrees course in the country.”

“Staffordshire University inspires me. As it inspires the graduates before me and the graduates before them – and that’s what should happen. You should be inspired, you should be informed, you should learn process and turn that into something you, and only you, can convey through your creativity.”

Keith has more than 30 years of experience as a potter and is Director and Head of Design at MAKE International in Kent where he set up a studio in a converted bakery.

Keith’s connection with the city stretches back to the 1980s when he was a ‘clay boy’. He says he would look at words for their shapes rather than their meaning.

Keith is a familiar face in the city and alongside his television appearances as judge on the Great Pottery Throw Down, which is set to make a comeback on Channel 4, he has featured at the British Ceramics Biennial - a global showcase for ceramics - and as opener and guest at the University’s annual art and design degree show where he also judges student artwork.

Famous for his high emotions in front of the camera an emotional Keith told graduates: “The advice I give to you is to love like your life depends on it - because one day it may depend on it. Surround yourself with the people you love.”

Listen to Keith’s full acceptance speech here