Sally Phillips – the comedy actor known as Tilly in BBC sitcom Miranda – has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of East London for her support of people with Down’s Syndrome.

The award was bestowed by the University’s School of Social Sciences, at a graduation ceremony at The O2 Arena in Greenwich on November 1.

Twelve years ago Sally gave birth to her first son, Olly, when doctors sat her and her husband down to tell them the “bad news” that Olly had Down’s Syndrome; since then she’s been fiercely fighting how it’s stigmatised.

Addressing graduating students, the actress, who also played Shazza in Bridget Jones’s Baby, said: “Some people want a pair of Louboutins, but I’ve always wanted a doctorate, so this is fantastic.”

“No matter what you achieve you’ll never be just your grades or job. Each of you is unique. And please, please remember to keep a helping hand extended to those who can’t achieve what you’ve done today.”

Sally said she is going to use the doctorate as further encouragement to advocate for people with Down’s Syndrome, adding that she was inspired by the university’s first chancellor, the late Lord Brian Rix.

She added: “The commitment he showed to being an advocate for his daughter, Shelley, and others like her with Down’s Syndrome, is something to be celebrated by UEL.”

Talking about her own son Sally said: “Yes there were some readjustments to make, but it’s been a joy in ways you wouldn’t expect – it’s a far cry from the pessimistic way having a child with Down’s is portrayed.”

Sally became known as a famous voice supporting people with Down’s Syndrome and their families when she wrote and presented the BBC2 documentary A World Without Down’s.

The documentary looked at the ethics, science, and real-life stories behind a new pre-natal test for Down’s Syndrome which lets parents choose to terminate a Down’s Syndrome foetus.

Sally said: “I wanted to bring about a public debate about these ‘search and destroy’ techniques, and the sort of society we’re creating. Surely, we want one that is inclusive, welcoming and enriched by people with Down’s Syndrome?”

Edinburgh Fringe Festival has welcomed her as a performer nine times and she got her big break in 1997 playing the receptionist in I’m Alan Partridge.

Sally is also a co-creator and one third of the female trio comedy sketch show Smack the Pony, which aired for Channel 4 from 1999-2003.

Also in 2003, she was included in The Observer’s top 50 funniest acts in British comedy. She currently co-presents BBC Radio 4’s Museum of Curiosity.