24/07/2026
💙 Standing ovation as 'Our' Kev Johns MBE Is Awarded Honorary Degree.
Swansea University has honoured one of the city’s most loved figures, Kev Johns MBE, with an Honorary Doctor of Letters - celebrating his decades of joy, generosity, and service to Swansea.
Kev received the award on 23 July, taking to the stage at Swansea Arena in front of hundreds of graduates. It was an emotional moment, not just for Kev, but for everyone who knows his story.
🌟 A Standing Ovation for a Swansea Icon
This year has tested Kev more than ever. After being diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer and suffering a stroke, he has fought back with extraordinary determination. Many of the physiotherapists and speech therapists who helped him learn to walk and talk again were in the audience - and Kev thanked them with a heartfelt speech that brought the room to its feet.
To the graduates, he said:
“Sharing the stage with you today has been the honour of my life, and whatever I have done in the past, and whatever I will do in the future, nothing will match today, because you people are the best and I wish you the very best of luck for the future.”
🎓 “Today Has Meant the World to Me”
Reflecting on the award, Kev said:
“I’ve never been so proud of anything in my life, and to see all the young people get their degrees and start their journey in life was amazing.''
He also praised the University’s role in Swansea life:
''To me, Swansea University is an incredible university. I’ve had cancer, and I’ve had a stroke, and so many of the wonderful nurses and people that have looked after me have trained at Swansea University. The University is so involved in Swansea life, from Technocamps, its connection with the Swans, the Taliesin Theatre where I’ve performed many times, and one of the best plays I’ve ever done was written by a Creating Writing PhD student at Swansea. Today has meant the world to me, it really is a huge honour.”
Kev - The whole team are so proud of you! Kev Johns Mbe
Source & credit : Swansea University Swansea University