Introduction:
“Doctor Engelbert Humperdinck!”: The Legendary Crooner Honored with Leicester University Doctorate for Music and Charity Legacy
The velvet voice behind timeless hits like “Release Me” and “Quando Quando Quando” returned to his hometown today—not for a concert, but for a milestone of a different kind. Engelbert Humperdinck, born Jerry Dorsey in Leicester, proudly received an Honorary Doctorate from Leicester University, recognizing over 35 years of musical brilliance and heartfelt charity work.
The ceremony took place at the grand De Montfort Hall, where Engelbert—dressed not in his signature stage attire, but in academic robes—stood among hundreds of students celebrating their own graduations. Yet, for all his global fame and more than 130 million records sold, including 70 Gold and 23 Platinum albums, Engelbert’s humility shone as bright as his legendary career.
“I’m very proud,” the newly titled Dr. Engelbert Humperdinck shared, his smile beaming with gratitude. “I was very nervous during my acceptance speech, but as I told the audience—I’d rather sing it than say it.”
The day was filled with joy and nostalgia. Photographers captured Engelbert’s official doctoral portrait, a moment he shared in common with every graduate that day. Despite his worldwide fame, he remained the same hometown boy who once dreamed big in the streets of Leicester.
In a light-hearted moment, Central News reporter Jenny Wiel quipped about Engelbert’s famously colorful wardrobe: “He didn’t get a Doctor of Fashion for that Hawaiian shirt he was wearing!” The playful jab was met with laughter, as fans know Engelbert wouldn’t be Engelbert without his signature splash of flamboyance.
With this honorary doctorate, Engelbert Humperdinck adds another remarkable chapter to his legacy—not just as a singer who conquered the charts, but as a humanitarian whose voice resonates far beyond the stage.