Published on 26 April 2023
BBC Radio 1 presenter Jordan North has announced live on air that he is receiving an honorary award from the University of Sunderland this summer.
Jordan, who graduated from the University in 2011 with a First Class degree in Media Production, shared the good news with listeners on Tuesday (April 25) during Radio 1’s drivetime show, Going Home with Vick and Jordan.
Jordan said: “This is huge honour, perhaps the greatest of my life. Now I just need to see Burnley win the FA cup and I will die a happy man!”
Starting his radio career on the University’s station Spark Sunderland, Jordan has worked for The Hits, Capital Manchester, Rock FM and appeared as a cover presenter in a number of BBC Radio 1 shows from 2014.
He finished second in the 20th series of ITV's I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2020 – and was announced as a co-host on the BBC Radio 1 daily drivetime show in 2021, taking over from Nick Grimshaw, alongside fellow presenter, Newcastle-born Vick Hope.
In February this year, Jordan landed a regular slot on hit ITV show Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
Jordan will be presented with his Honorary Fellowship during the University’s graduation ceremonies at the Stadium of Light in July.
“I owe everything to The University of Sunderland and Spark,” Jordan said.
“This is where I learned my trade, made my mistakes, found my passion and made friends for life."
Jordan continued: “I have so many fond memories and I learned so many skills and techniques that I still put to use now when broadcasting to millions of people on Radio 1.
“I wasn’t very academic at school and struggled in most subjects but at Sunderland I found my passion, something I was half decent at and I was constantly encouraged, supported, and helped by the amazing members of staff in a fantastic learning environment.”
The 2023 University of Sunderland graduation ceremonies take place at the Stadium of Light from 10-14 July.