Degree honour for a leading BBC journalist

Published on Thursday 2 July 2009 10:09

A TOP BBC journalist received an honorary degree from his alumnus yesterday, just nine years after the same university honoured his TV presenter wife.

Allan Little has worked for the BBC for 26 years and has reported from Africa, Paris and South Africa. Picking up his Doctor of Letters 27 years after he graduated from Edinburgh University for the first time, he said he was excited to be back, having watched his wife, journalist Sheena McDonald, receive a similar accolade before.

He said: "It's fantastic, a real thrill. I am honoured and very touched to receive this degree."

There were no riotous celebrations planned for the broadcaster last night as he had to jet back to work today.

He said: "I've got to get a plane back to London tonight as I'm working tomorrow."

His wife was in the McEwan Hall to watch him pick up his degree.

Mr Little has won several awards for his work, including a Gold Sony radio award for Reporter of the Year in 1992.