COMEDY writer Paul Mayhew-Archer stole the spotlight as he was awarded an honourary doctorate in Oxford.

The Abingdon resident, best known for co-writing The Vicar of Dibley and Mrs Brown's Boys, took to the stage at Oxford Brooke University to be honoured on Saturday.

Crowds of students who graduated alongside the script writer were inspired as he reminisced on his time in the limelight while battling Parkinson's Disease in a heart-felt speech.

Hilary Churchley, the university's engagement manager, said many of the students and their families were soaked by the torrential downpours but things quickly turned around when Mr Mayhew-Archer took to the stage.

She added: "It was lovely to see him. His speech was stunning. He advocated humour as a way of coping with the disappointments of the world or getting through every day.

"He was amusing, he was inspirational. There was lots of laughter - and that's what he would have liked. It was a very lovely atmosphere."

Mr Mayhew-Archer was among a string of prominent figures who were gifted with honourary degrees in Headington at the university's Gipsy Lane campus.

Opera Holland Park general manager Michael Volpe, KPMG partner Melanie Richards and Chartered Management Institute chief executive Ann Francke were also honoured.

Other figures honoured on the day were Dame Julie Moore and Professor Judith Ellis MBE who were handed the degrees to mark 125 years of nursing education in Oxford.

They were also joined be joined by The Reverend Lord Leslie Griffiths and Dr Tim Cook.