Actor James Nesbitt was confirmed today as the new chancellor of the University of Ulster.
The chair of the university's ruling council, Gerry Mallon, confirmed it had offered the position to the star of Cold Feet, Murphy's Law and Bloody Sunday and he had accepted.
The 45-year-old father of two succeeds former London lord mayor Sir Richard Nichols in representing the Northern Ireland institution at home and abroad.
Mr Mallon said: “We’re delighted James, a former student at the university and an honorary graduate, has agreed to take on this very important role.”
“James is taking over as chancellor at an exciting time for Ulster and will bring considerable energy, dynamism and commitment to this post. This is also the first time there has been a Northern Ireland-born chancellor of the university.”
Mr Nesbitt said: “I am deeply honoured to have been asked by the University of Ulster to be its chancellor.”
He will fill an ambassadorial-type role and officiate at graduations. He succeeds Sir Richard, who had served the university since May 2002.
In 2003, Mr Nesbitt, born in Broughshane, Co Antrim, received the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from the university for services to drama. He previously studied French at Ulster but left to pursue a career in acting.
After a breakthrough role in Peter Chelsom's movie Hear My Song about the tenor Joseph Locke, he was propelled to stardom when he landed the lead role in ITV's comedy drama Cold Feet alongside Helen Baxendale, John Thomson and Fay Ripley.
PA