Comedian vows to be hands-on

Dawn French has been appointed chancellor of Falmouth University.

The institution says the comic, who lives in Cornwall, is 'an ideal role model' for their students.

French vowed that she wanted to be an 'active' Chancellor working with students at the creative arts university, not just a figurehead.

said: 'I actually trained to be a teacher, so have always had a keen interest in education and I jumped at the chance to join the team at Falmouth.

'Falmouth's ties with the creative industries are what attracted me. I worked with Michael Grandage to devise and rehearse my current show at the university earlier this year and was amazed at the facilities and the calibre of students I met.'

She will officially take over the job following a ceremony in March.

Professor Anne Carlisle, vice chancellor at Falmouth University, added: 'We have searched carefully for the right individual to become chancellor.

'As a pioneering artist who is respected worldwide as a performer, theatre maker and writer, she is an ideal role model for young people looking to make their careers in the creative industries.

'Dawn is the perfect figurehead and inspiration for our students. Her passion and enthusiasm for the role and the university has already been infectious.'

Falmouth was only given full university status in 2012.

Published: 22 Sep 2014