The tiny white-haired Yorkshirewoman, who will be 74 in December, known for her wicked sense of humour and no stranger to awards, looked a little embarrassed as Professor Lorna Hutson of the School of English at the University of St Andrews read her laureation address.

Reminding those present that Dame Judi — who scooped an Academy Award for her role as Queen Elizabeth in the 1998 film, Shakespeare in Love — was no stranger to awards ceremonies, Professor Hutson listed the star's astonishing accomplishments which include six Lawrence Olivier awards; three Critics' Circle awards; one 'Tony'; nine BAFTAs; six Oscar nominations and two Golden Globe awards.

The first person to win two Olivier Awards for two different roles in the same year, her first love has always been the theatre, describing film acting as ''a curious business.'' However, her career in that medium too has soared the heights. Oscar-nominated, for her roles in Mrs Brown, Shakespeare In Love, Chocolat, Iris and Mrs Henderson Presents, in 1995 she became world-famous as James Bond's no-nonsense boss, 'M', the franchise's first and only strong female character.

Speaking to journalists in St Salvator's Quad on Tuesday, she recalled how a friend, having seen her as 'M,' asked her ''Are you aware your face is three times the size of your house?"

Tuesday had been an early start for Dame Judi who revealed she got up at 6 a.m. and missed out on her breakfast as she left for the flight to Edinburgh before driving to St Andrews.

She said she was excited and thrilled with the honour and would have loved to have had more time to explore the ancient university town which she has never visited before.

"This bit of Scotland and Ayr are the only two areas I don't know. I know the west coast very well and it would be very nice to come back here."

Referring to her honorary degree, she joked: "I shall boast about it a lot," adding "(The ceremony) was very embarrasing. You see your photograph and have to stand up in front of a lot of people while somebody talks about your life."

However she confessed to being "frightfully pleased" at the honour.

Also in Tuesday's ceremony, leading pharmaceutical scientist Dr Simon Campbell, received a DSc (Doctor of Science) for his contribution to the discovery of new medicines, promoting health care in the developing world and promoting the chemical sciences.

A leading player in the discovery of drugs used in the treatment of high blood pressure, benign prostate enlargement, angina and hypertension, he led the programme that developed Viagra.

During the week, leading names from academia, acting and sport were awarded honorary degrees in a series of graduation ceremonies in North Street's Younger Hall. Other high-profile recipients included golfer Renee Powell, philosopher René Girard and environmentalist George Monbiot.

Wednesday saw leading medic, Professor Sir Nicholas Wright, receive an Hon MD (Doctor of Medicine) and a second ceremony honoured Princeton University international affairs professor, Angus Deaton; lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy and golf pro Renee Powell.

Manchester University vice president of research, Dame Nancy Rothwell, was awarded an Hon DSc yesterday (Thursday), with Swedish novelist, playwright and director Henning Mankell, and author and journalist Adam Hochschild set to receive Hon DLitts.

The end of the week saw Major General George Cowan honoured for his distinguished career in the Royal Medical Army Corps, with environmentalist George Monbiot, Edinburgh University emeritus Professor of molecular biology, Sir Kenneth Murray, and culture theorist and philosopher René Girard.

Full list of 2008 graduates in today's Citizen