Dynamo receives honorary degree at Bradford University Ceremony today

“If I go on an airplane, what do I do?” asked the new honorary graduate of Bradford University.

“Do I change my name? What if they ask if there’s a Doctor Steven Frayne on board?

“I remember learning that mouth to mouth stuff and I know a little bit to get me by... but I hope that never happens!”

The 31-year-old, who grew up as Steven Frayne on Bradford’s Delph Hill estate, could never have imagined he would end up standing in front of a group of academics at his home city university, giving a speech urging them to believe in magic.

However, it is reality - the Magician Impossible star was today awarded a degree for his commitment to Bradford, improving opportunities for young people and his charity work.

“Being back in Bradford is amazing,” said Dynamo, dressed smartly in a black suit shortly after the ceremony.

“I haven’t actually been back here since last Christmas, I’ve been so busy, so it’s great to be here for such an amazing reason.

“I’m so humbled and honoured and, to be honest, giving my speech was the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done.

“I’ve performed all over the world in the craziest places, doing crazy stunts - death-defying stunts at times.

“But giving this speech when I know I’ve got some of my family on the front row and knowing the people in the audience aren’t any old people - they are people who are graduating, some after studying for eight or more years.

“And even the names of some of the things they were studying sound super, super intelligent.

“The amount of work they put in is just crazy and I just feel honoured I get to stand in a room with them and, hopefully, inspire them.”

Dynamo, who will film part of his next series of Magician Impossible around the campus today, did not go to University himself.

But he said if he had, he would have studied film directing.

“I’ve always had a passion for creating amazing visuals. You’ve seen my work in front of the camera. I have my own film company now, so you might see me make my directorial debut in the next few years.

“But my real passion, other than magic and making films, but I don’t think my manager will let me do it, is to become a stunt car driver.

“I had a go with David Coulthard in my last series - we filmed some magic while I was driving blindfolded - and he gave me some tips in the car, how to do some crazy things.

“I figured I could do that in movies. That could be my retirement job!”

Dynamo is best known for his stunning big-scale illusions and feats of close-up magic, but says he would never have reached such success without the influence of great-grandfather Ken Walsh, who he calls Grandpa.

“One person who was missed today was my Grandpa, who was the person who got me into magic and was the main reason I’m doing what I’m doing today,” he said.

“But my Nana was there with his spirit in tow, my mum was there, my auntie, my partner - the most important people in my life.

“I couldn’t believe it when I got the email asking me about the honorary degree. It was overwhelming and being here is surreal.

“But I’m working on series four of Magician Impossible and we’re going to film around the University.

“It’s all new stuff. I’m going to try out a few new things.

“I don’t get back to Bradford as often as I used to or would like to and these are the people who helped me get to where I am today, so I think I should show them some magic.”

But will he be changing the name of his show to Doctor Dynamo, in recognition of his new title?

“I think that’s definitely going to be a conversation in the office,” he said, with a smile.