Ashley Banjo at Cliffs Pavilion South Essex College graduation

The students from South Essex Colleges’ University Centre were awarded their diplomas during the annual event at the Westcliff theatre, with 15 graduates receiving special awards.

Honoured - Ashley receiving his honorary doctorate (Image: South Essex Colleges)The diplomas were handed out by special guest Ashley Banjo, who grew up in south Essex and rose to fame after winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 with his dance group, Diversity.

Ashley, who was head boy at St John's School in Billericay, was also honoured with a Doctor of Civil Law degree from the University of East Anglia and gave a speech to the class of 2024.

Recognised - Graduates outside Cliffs Pavilion (Image: South Essex Colleges)He said: “It is a great honour to receive this honorary doctorate and even more of an honour to hand the diplomas to the graduates and share in their amazing achievements.

“I came here with the hope of inspiring the graduates and my advice would be don’t be scared to make mistakes, embrace life, work hard and if you have a clean heart you are exactly where you are meant to be in that moment.

“The degree itself doesn’t define you, the journey to getting your degree is what defines you, and shows how strong you are and what you can achieve.

“Do what’s true to you.”

Overjoyed - graduates were handed their diplomas by Ashley Banjo (Image: South Essex Colleges) Proud - Ashley congratulated the graduates (Image: South Essex Colleges)

Dame Sally Dicketts, chair of the college corporation, said: “Graduation is one of life’s red letter days – an important and memorable occasion.

“It is a rite of passage marking the end of this particular journey and the start of a new one.

“Congratulations to all the graduates, we are very proud of you and we wish you all the best for the future, you deserve it.”

Star - Ashley with graduates (Image: South Essex Colleges) Special night - Banjo being gowned (Image: South Essex Colleges)Denise Brown, group chief executive of South Essex Colleges Group, which has campuses in Southend, Basildon and Thurrock, added her congratulations to all award winners.

She said: “Graduation is a special night, we are all extremely proud of our students’ achievements this year and wish them all the best for the future.

“We would like to thank all those who attended and our distinguished guests who included deputy lieutenant of Essex Tim Gocher, the worshipful mayor of Southend, councillor Ron Woodley and chair of the college corporation, Dame Sally Dicketts.”