LJMU's star chancellor

Rock star and astrophysicist Brian May has been confirmed as the new chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

Dr May, who shot to stardom with rock band Queen, succeeds Cherie Booth QC in the role and was appointed unanimously by the university's board of governors. The move follows his honorary fellowship at the university earlier this year and his completion of a PhD on interplanetary dust clouds at Imperial College, London, which he put on hold 36 years ago when his career as a musician took off.

Michael Brown, vice-chancellor of Liverpool John Moores, said: "In this age of celebrity culture it is rare to find someone who has fame, fortune and universal acclaim and yet who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment."