Comedian and broadcaster Judi Love honoured with Doctorate

Born in Hackney and raised in Waltham Forest, Judi is the youngest of five siblings. Her journey has been marked by resilience and creativity, shaped by both challenges and triumphs. She returned to education as a mature student and completed a Master’s in Social Work at UEL, where she discovered her voice as a performer. What began as a way to share personal stories with humour and reflection grew into a career that would see her make history as the first Black British female comedian to headline and sell out the London Palladium.

Since then, Judi has become a familiar face on UK television, appearing on Loose Women, Strictly Come Dancing, Taskmaster and more. Alongside her career in comedy and broadcasting, she has been a vocal advocate for mental health, self-care, community empowerment and representation in the media.

Judi’s return to UEL was a deeply personal and moving homecoming. Her heartfelt speech, filled with warmth, honesty and humour, had the audience smiling through tears - moved by her story yet uplifted by her spirit - as she reflected on her time at the university and the lasting impact it has had on her career and identity. 

For me, UEL was the building of a foundation of self-belief, creativity, authenticity. It was a place where my class and culture could be acknowledged, not diminished, and where those aspects of who I am were not only accepted but celebrated. It is a reminder that universities must be spaces where every voice can be heard, where differences are fuel for creativity, and where inclusion is not a slogan but a lived practice. This was my experience at UEL.”

Speaking directly to students, Judi urged them to embrace their challenges and believe in their potential.

“However, the things that may have been hard, just know they don’t define you. With a seed of faith, it’s possible to rewrite your story, to let go of the negative narrative that you or anyone else had. It’s possible to break through the box that people, society or circumstance may have tried to carve you in. I’m telling you this because I’m here.”

Her words drew on her own journey as a single mother, a working-class student and someone who struggled with dyslexia. Judi explained that her path through education had not been straightforward, but that UEL had provided the encouragement and support she needed to thrive.

Being a single, working class mum, who was also dyslexic, UEL didn’t hesitate to encourage someone like me to study. Not being rejected but instead supported gave me the freedom I hadn’t felt before to leap into the possibility of my educational growth. I have never looked back since, especially as all my areas of diversity were celebrated.”

Judi went on to reflect on the values that have guided her from UEL’s lecture halls to national television screens and sold-out theatres. She spoke of resilience, authenticity and community, and paid tribute to those who had stood beside her through her journey - her children Shan and Shi, her late parents, and the mentors and friends who encouraged her at critical moments.

In closing, she offered a powerful message to both graduates and the wider UEL community, urging them to use creativity and culture as tools for social change.

“To the broader community and to future generations of UEL students: may you seek knowledge with curiosity, act with integrity, and build a world where opportunity is not a privilege but a shared right.”