HE has sold more than 13 million albums, performed at sell-out concerts across the globe and picked up numerous music awards to become one of the world’s most famous R & B stars.

Next week Southampton born singing sensation Craig David will return home to add another achievement to his impressive cv – an honorary degree from Southampton Solent University.

The 27-year-old, who grew up on the city centre’s Holyrood estate, will swap his cool fashion sense for a traditional ceremonial graduation gown and mortar board.

University bosses have chosen to present Craig with an honorary degree of Doctor of Music for his contribution to the music industry.

It was his passion for music that helped the former Bellemoor School pupil overcome both bullying and weight problems as a teenager growing up in the city.

Shortly after leaving school he broke onto the music scene working with Southampton based garage act Artful Dodger on the smash hit Rewind.

His first single Fill Me In went to number one in the UK making him, at 19, the youngest solo male artist ever to reach the top spot.

Since then Craig, an ardent Saints fan has sold more than 13 million copies of his first four albums with his latest Greatest Hits album coming out on November 24.

Together his looks and lyrics have won the hearts of millions of women fans with many expected to try and catch a glimpse of him outside Southampton Guildhall when he collects his award next Friday.

It is expected his mum Tina, who lives in Chilworth, will watch her son collect his award along with other family and friends.

The university is also awarding an honorary degree to film, television and theatre actor Jeremy Irons who was born on the Isle of Wight.

He will receive an honorary degree of doctor of arts for his contribution to film, theatre, television and music.

The 60-year-old’s big break came with the role of John the Baptist in the musical Godspell in the 1970s.

He went on to play Charles Ryder in the television adaptation of Brideshead Revisited and starred opposite Meryl Streep in The French Lieutenant’s Woman.

The star of stage and screen also won an Academy award for Best Actor in Reversal of Fortune and more recently an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his role in the television mini-series Elizabeth 1.

Craig and Jeremy will join more than 2,000 students who are graduating next week during ten ceremonies from Monday.

They will be graduating in a range of subjects including fashion, social work, law and for the first time popular music and record production.

Professor Van Gore, the University’s Vice Chancellor said: “This week’s graduation ceremonies are the highlight of the university’s year, when we celebrate the achievements of our students and our staff.

“Congratulations to everyone who will be graduating.”