FATBOY Slim has paid tribute to students graduating this summer.

The DJ is among the celebrity former students taking part in a series of films produced by the University of Brighton to congratulate the current crop, as ceremonies have been postponed until February due to the coronavirus crisis.

Graduating students who would have attended celebrations at Brighton Centre this week are instead invited to view the online films.

Norman Cook, who lives in Hove, gained a degree in British Studies during the 1980s when the university was Brighton Polytechnic.

He drew on lyrics from David Bowie’s song Heroes in his message to graduating students and said: “I guess what I’m trying to say is you’re all heroes, whether you get to celebrate with your nearest and dearest or the whole world, what you’ve done is a fabulous thing. I salute you, I congratulate you, you are my heroes – just for one day.”

Crime author and Honorary Graduate Peter James said: “These past months have been a tough time for everyone, but there’s one thing I always try to remember and it’s always stood me in good stead – the happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Debra Humphris said: “To the Class of 2020, congratulations. I know we would normally be coming together for an extraordinary celebration, and I hope that we will be able to do that, all being well, in February 2021.

“I want to say a huge thank you to your friends, families and supporters, who have been there for you on this journey, and of course to the staff of the university, who have encouraged you and enabled you to be your best.”