Judi Love launches fund to help others follow her footsteps
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Published
08 July 2026
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Comedian and broadcaster Judi Love is giving back to the university that nurtured her creativity by launching a funding award for students facing the same barriers she once overcame.
The University of East London (UEL) today announced the launch of the Dr Judi Love Award – a new initiative designed to support students from low-income backgrounds, single parents, and carers, who are pursuing careers in social work, law, psychology and the creative industries.
Three students will each receive £3,000 in financial support during the 2026/27 academic year, alongside mentoring opportunities and access to UEL's extensive student support services.
For UEL alumna Judi, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the university last year, the motivation for providing the funding is deeply personal.
“There was a time when university felt like a world that wasn't built for someone like me. I was raising two children as a single mum. I was juggling responsibilities, worrying about money and trying to prove to myself that I belonged. But UEL saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself,” she said.
The award has been created by Judi in recognition of the opportunity and role UEL played in her own journey from single mother-of-two and mature student, to one of the UK's best-loved broadcasters and performers.
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 first studied Community Arts Practice and Combined Studies at UEL as an undergraduate, before later returning as a mature student to complete a Master’s in Social Work at UEL.
It was during her first degree, and when she started doing open mic shows, that she discovered her voice as a performer. What began as a way of sharing personal experiences through humour and storytelling grew into a career that would see her make history as the first Black British female comedian to headline and sell out both the London Palladium and, more recently, the Eventim Apollo.
Since then, Judi has become a familiar face on UK television. She is a regular panellist on Loose Women and has appeared on a host of much-loved shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Taskmaster, Celebrity Bake-Off, Soccer Aid, and Amazon Prime’s BAFTA-winning series Last One Laughing. Judi has also curated and produced her own talk show and podcast Our Table with Judi Love, where she is joined by a panel of guests for unfiltered conversations about life, love, culture and everything in between.
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.
Now, she hopes the Dr Judi Love Award will help remove the financial pressures that prevent talented people from pursuing higher education and fulfilling careers.
“Education changed the direction of my life and I want this award to do that for somebody else,” continued Judi.
There are brilliant people sitting at home right now thinking university isn't for them because of their circumstances. Maybe they're caring for family. Maybe they're struggling financially. Maybe they've been told they're not academic enough. I want them to know that their story is not their disqualification.”
The Dr Judi Love Award reflects UEL's long-standing commitment to social mobility and widening access to education. Applicants will be selected not only on financial need but also on their ambition, resilience and potential to make a positive impact in their communities.
Award recipients will have the opportunity to meet Judi throughout their studies and benefit from mentoring and career guidance. Where possible, she will help connect students with industry professionals and networks relevant to their future careers.
Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice Chancellor & President at UEL, said:
Judi's story embodies what universities can achieve when talent is given the opportunity to flourish and thrive. She arrived at UEL balancing the responsibilities of family life and study, and has gone on to make an extraordinary impact through her work, creativity and advocacy.
This award reflects our committed belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. By supporting students who may face financial pressures or caring responsibilities, Judi is helping to ensure that circumstances do not determine outcomes.
We are incredibly grateful for her generosity and her continued commitment to the UEL community. The Dr Judi Love Award will help open doors for future generations of students whose talent, ambition and resilience deserve every chance to succeed.”
Applications for the first cohort of Dr Judi Love Award recipients are now open, for students beginning their studies at UEL in September 2026, with successful applicants announced later in the academic year.
For more information and eligibility criteria, visit the Dr Judi Love Award page.
