Sarah goes from dippy barmaid to Doctor of Letters

ACTRESS Sarah Lancashire, who found stardom as barmaid Raquel in “Coronation Street” is to become Honorary Doctorate of Letters at Oldham Centre of Huddersfield University.

The Oldham-born star, who also appeared in “Where the Heart Is” and “Clocking Off”, receives the award on July 23.

The 44-year-old joins other leading figures from the fields of sport, television, music and the arts who are among the recipients of honorary awards that the University of Huddersfield has announced.

The award-winning actress, originally from Garden Suburb, is best known for her role as dippy barmaid Raquel Wolstenhulme who later married and then abandoned Curly Watts.

Sarah, a former Oldham College student, has played many parts on television and stage, winning several awards.

Last year, she starred as the housekeeper Nelly Dean in Emily Bronte’s 1847 classic tale of “Wuthering Heights”, filmed in the Yorkshire Dales.

The former Hulme Grammar School pupil, has also made an appearance as guest villain in “Dr Who”.