World famous pop/rock singer Sharlene Spiteri from Haldane to receive honorary degree. Sharleen Spiteri has been the singer of Texas since 1986. Picture: Elisabeth Hoff
By Bill Heaney and Aelred Nicholas
The University of Glasgow is awarding honorary degrees to recipients, including Vale of Leven Academy former pupil Sharlene Spiteri, in recognition of their achievements in the fields of arts, politics, humanities and science.
The awards will be presented at a special Commemoration Day ceremony on Wednesday 18 June, which marks the foundation of the University in 1451.
The recipients include Haldane woman and world famous musician Sharleen Spiteri; political scientist Professor Sir John Curtice; author and journalist Sally Magnuson; and broadcaster Kirsty Young, who now owns her own island on Loch Lomond.
Sally Magnusson, Sir John Curtice and Kirsty Young will receive honorary degrees.
Honorary degrees will also be awarded to a host of recipients during the University’s summer graduation ceremonies.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal & Vice Chancellor, University of Glasgow, said: “Granting honorary degrees is a way for the University of Glasgow to recognise and celebrate the meaningful contribution individuals have made to society.
“I am thrilled that the University is celebrating graduands from a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. Each one has made a significant impact in their fields, positively influencing the lives of people across the world.
“Commemoration Day is always a very special occasion, and this year is particularly special. Not only does it mark a milestone in the University’s history, but it also represents my final year as Principal & Vice Chancellor. I am excited to join in celebrating this day with our esteemed graduands.”
The full list of honorary degrees 2025 is:
Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
- Professor Dame Diana Coyle, Co-Director, Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of Cambridge
- Professor Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde
Doctor of Music (DMus)
- Sharleen Spiteri, Musician
Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
- Professor Michael Oritz, Frank and Ora Lee Marble Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology
Doctor of the University (DUniv)
- Dr Clark McGinn, Financier and Robert Burns Scholar
- Sally Magnusson, Journalist and Author
- Dr Gerry Rice, Director of Communications, International Monetary Fund
- Kirsty Young, Broadcaster and Journalist
Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
- Robert Softley Gale, Artist Director and CEO, Birds of Paradise Theatre Company
Doctor of Science (DSc)
- Professor Mark Girolami, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
- Professor Richard Oreffo, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton
Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
- Professor Dame Lynn Gladden, Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge
Graduation, Crichton Campus, Dumfries, Friday 11 July 2025
Doctor of Science (DSc)
- Dr Megumi Muto, Japan International Cooperation Agency
Winter 2025 Graduations
Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
- Professor James Arthur, Academic
By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall
As the lead singer of Texas, Sharleen Spiteri is one of Scotland’s most successful musicians ever.
Here’s all the information you need to know about the Scottish star:
Who is Sharleen Spiteri?
Sharleen Spiteri is the lead singer of Scottish pop-rock band Texas.
Formed in 1986, Texas have gone on to become one of the biggest groups to come out of Scotland, selling a total of 40 million albums worldwide.
They’re most well known for albums Southside (1989) which featured the single ‘I Don’t Want a Lover’, and White On Blonde (1996) which featured songs such as ‘Black Eyed Boy’ and ‘Say What You Want’.
- Texas’ 10 best songs ever, ranked
- Sharleen Spiteri and daughter Misty look like twins in Texas video for ‘Unbelievable’
White On Blonde would go on to become the band’s best-selling album, being certified platinum in the UK six times over. In 2010 the album was nominated for the ‘Best Album in the Past 25 Years’ by the BRIT Awards.
Spiteri is known for her strong contral to vocal range and jet black hair.
Aside from her work in Texas, Sharleen Spiteri also released two solo albums Melody (2008) and The Movie Songbook (2010) when the band were on hiatus from 2005-2013.
She is a dedicated philanthropist, and is a patron of children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.
How old is Sharleen Spiteri and where was she born?
Sharleen Spiteri was born on 7th November 1967 in Bellshill, Scotland. She celebrated her 54th birthday in 2021.
She is of Maltese, Italian, Irish and German descent. Her father Eddie Spiteri was a guitar-playing merchant seaman and her mother Vilma was a singing window-dresser.
How did Sharleen Spiteri get her start in music?
Spiteri came from a musical family, and herself showed great interest in music from a young age, claiming that music was her escape:
“I used to love going to the record shop on a Saturday and I’d buy a single and a plastic sleeve. I’d go back to my bedroom where Siouxsie Sioux was painted on my bedroom wall”.
Her early influences came in the shape of The Clash, Blondie, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Diana Ross, and Siouxsie Sioux.
Up until Texas were signed to Mercury Records in 1988, Spiteri worked as a full-time hairdresser.
Their debut single ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’ achieved international success, reaching No.8 in the UK charts and No.77 on the Billboard charts in the US.
They’ve gone on to release a total of ten studio albums over a 35-year career.
What are Texas’ biggest songs?
Texas – Say What You Want (Official Video)
– ‘Say What You Want’
– ‘Black Eyed Boy’
– ‘Summer Son’
– ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’
– ‘Put Your Arms Around Me’
– ‘In Our Lifetime’
– ‘Halo’
– ‘Inner Smile’
– ‘Getaway’
– ‘In Demand’
Is Sharleen Spiteri married?
Spiteri is married to celebrity chef Bryn Williams.
They wed in September 2018 at the 15th-century church of St. Tyrnog in Llandyrnog, North Wales.
She was in a long-term relationship with Ashley Heath, former editor of now-defunct men’s magazine Arena.
Sharleen Spiteri’s estimated net worth is $15 million.
Does Sharleen Spiteri have any children?
Sharleen Spiteri has one daughter, Misty Kyd Heath with her former partner Ashley Heath.
She was born on 9th September 2002 and is currently 19 years of age.
Misty Kyd has appeared played a younger version of her mother in the music video for Texas’ 2021 single ‘Unbelievable’.
Is there anything else we should know about Sharleen Spiteri?
Spiteri is a keen gardener and supplies all of the fruit and vegetables for her husband’s restaurant.
She almost dipped her toe into acting having won a role opposite Terminator 2: Judgment Day and American History X star Edward Furlong, but pulled out when she became pregnant.
She almost appeared in Moulin Rouge! alongside Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor too, but decided against it due to having to move to Australia to shoot the film.
Since Brexit, Spiteri who was once a Unionist declared her support for Scottish independence.