HE is the Oscar winner who created the hit TV series the nation has fallen in love with, and now he has scooped up an honorary degree from the University of Winchester.

Lord Julian Fellowes took centre stage at the ceremony for Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences graduates at the cathedral this afternoon.

The Downton Abbey creator was made an honorary Doctor of Letters, and told the 1,000-strong audience to follow their dreams when it comes to choosing a career.

He said: “When the lucky break comes it may well come in disguise it may not be what you were expecting and it may not what you were aiming at but I would beg you when the door opens please go through it. I feel very lucky to be here today and very grateful to all you for coming to see me honoured.”

Lord Julian Fellowes after the ceremony

He was among the first of 1,800 people to receive doctorates and degrees throughout the week, with ceremonies taking place until Friday.

After the ceremony he said he felt honoured and flattered.

“My son went to Winchester, and so we spent a lot of time here so I’m not coming to a foreign country at all, and I think it is one of the most beautiful cities we have, one of the most historic, and to be honoured by the University of Winchester feels rather fabulous to be honest. I consider myself a lucky boy,” he said.

Also among the crowd was nun Kathleen Lyons, who at 92 is the university’s oldest recipient of a Doctor of Philosophy.

She decided to take up research as a retirement project in her late 80s, after encouragement from Prof Lisa Isherwood, the University’s Director of the Institute of Theological Partnerships.

As scores of proud parents and family members joined the sea of purple and silver robes outside the cathedral, the African Drumming Ensemble from the University’s Foundation Music played loud and proud.

There was plenty of mortarboard throwing and cheers of “hooray”, and Alex McNaughtan, 23, of Edgar Road, in Winchester, was among them. He received a 2:1 in History, and said he felt relieved.

He said: “It’s nice today because beforehand I didn’t feel like I had done anything for three years, but getting the scroll feels like I have achieved something. It was a little daunting sitting in the cathedral waiting to take my turn. It’s great to get to this final stage.”

Hannah Cochrane, 21, from Portsmouth, achieved a 2:1 in Sociology. She said: “I’m really happy and relieved. I’m looking to do probation work eventually. It was amazing and surreal graduating in the cathedral.”

Plenty of graduates were congratulating each other and talking excitedly about their future careers, including 24-year-old Toby Ryan, from Camberley, who is starting work in Germany next month.

He said: “I got a 2:1 in History. I feel fantastic, I have got a job lined up in Germany and this gave me the chance to do it, so I’m absolutely ecstatic.”

Graduation week kicked off with a special procession from Abbey House through the city centre to the cathedral, including the University’s Chancellor Prof Dame Mary Fagan.

Each of the eight ceremonies features music by cathedral organists.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Joy Carter said: “Graduation is a very special occasion. There are many things to celebrate and many people to congratulate. We delight in the success of our graduates and we believe that they will use their knowledge and wisdom to make a real difference in the world.”

Honorary doctorates are also being awarded this week to social work expert Jennifer Bernard and Revd Lucy Winkett.

Honorary Fellowships are being awarded to sustainability champion Mark Diacono, Winchester city councillor Frank Pearson, volunteer John Shannon, reading advocate Nikki Gamble and visual artist Tom Yendell.

The winner of the Alumnus of the Year Award is Hazel Forsyth, History and English graduate, for her achievement as senior curator of the medieval and post-medieval collections at the Museum of London.