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Wendy Craig awards inspirational prize to deserving graduates

Television star and º£½ÇÖ±²¥ honorary graduate Wendy Craig awarded the first of her new performing arts graduation prizes to two deserving graduates.

The actress, author and television presenter became a household name in the 1960s and 1970s when she starred in some of the UK’s most popular television comedies, Butterflies and Not in Front of the Children. Wendy grew up in Picton, near Yarm and received a Master of Arts from º£½ÇÖ±²¥ in 1994.

This year she has launched the Wendy Craig Prize for Performing Arts – presented to two deserving graduates each year who have excelled in their course.

As well as receiving £500, the prize winners gain prestigious recognition which they can use to raise their profile and reinforce their career aspirations.

Wendy said: 'I was supported by some wonderful people who helped me to get started and to be able to contribute to doing the same for the next generation of students is wonderful.'

The first recipients of the Wendy Craig Prize for Performing Arts are Farhaan Sheikh and Steven Bridges.

Farhaan, 21, from London, has shown determination throughout his time at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and is committed to pursuing a career in performing arts.

He said: 'I was really amazed and grateful to be told I'd won this award as it’s really prestigious and means a lot to me as an actor.

'I've enjoyed every minute of the degree, it really pushed me beyond my limits and helped me to see that the possibilities are endless.'

He added: 'The degree gave me the skills to progress in my career. I’m now based in the North-east and my main focus is to establish myself as an actor, especially as there aren’t many British Asian actors from this region.'

As well as graduating top of his class, Steven has been a regular presenter on Click FM, the University’s student-run radio station, serving as station manager in his final year. Steven is also a talented magician and has performed at various university events.

Steven, 21, from Hexham, said: 'It's a real honour to receive this award and shows how much I’ve achieved. The best part of the degree was the freedom to experiment. It was a really great experience.'

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