Pop music mogul Pete Waterman, the man who found fame and fortune for Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Bananarama and Steps, among others, and known currently as 'Poison Pete' to fans of ITV's Pop Idol show, has been honoured by Coventry University.

Pete was made an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration for his services to the pop music industry at a ceremony today in Coventry Cathedral.

In his eulogy, University Vice-Chancellor Michael Goldstein spoke about Pete's remarkable and varied life, telling the audience how Pete didn't start school until he was seven, could still not read or write by the age of eleven, yet went on to break all records in the pop music industry.

"Pete now owns an impressive collection of Ferrari's," said the Vice-Chancellor, "several hundred million pounds worth of railway rolling stock, a prize-winning collection of Koi carp and still writes and produces hit records!"

In the Cathedral to applaud Pete Waterman and acknowledge his achievements were several previous recipients of Honorary Degrees, including athlete Dave Moorcroft, Baby Lifeline founder Judy Ledger and former BBC radio and TV presenter Stuart Linnell.

Coventry University also conferred Honorary Degrees this week on Pru Poretta, former Coundon Court school head teacher David Kershaw, George Jackson, Roger Faulkner and Lynda Arlidge.