13 Jan 00

ITN Newscaster to become Doctor of Laws

ITN newscaster and author, John Suchet, will be returning to his alma mater this July when he will be among those receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LLB) from the University of Dundee.

Originally receiving MA honours from the University when still Queen's College, John Suchet has gone on to become one of ITN's most popular faces. Joining Independent Television News in 1972 as reporter he was awarded TV Journalist of the year in 1986 and Newscaster of the year in 1996.

He is perhaps less well-known for his role of international carpet salesman. Using this alias he was able to enter Iran when all journalists had been banned from the country under the new Islamic regime just after the Shah had been toppled. He then proceeded to provide undercover stories for a month on the kidnapping of American hostages from the US embassy. It was only on his safe return to the UK that he learned that the Islamic government were arresting all dealers in Persian carpets and executing them for profiteering at the expense of the state.

Mr Suchet more recently made the headlines himself when he revealed his little known passion for Beethoven. As well as providing the nation with minute by minute accounts of world affairs he has managed to fit in extensive research to produce an ambitious fictional trilogy on the composer. Last year he gave the first ever Discovery Lecture to be accompanied by music when he returned to Dundee to deliver his presentation: "The Last Master - An Exploration of the Life and Music of Beethoven".

Principal of the University of Dundee, Dr Ian Graham-Bryce: "I am delighted that we are recognising the life and work of such a public figure during this year's graduation ceremonies. It is of special significance since Mr Suchet's University days were spent here in Dundee and more recently he returned to deliver what proved to be an exceedingly popular Discovery Lecture last year."/ends