Now an internationally famous actress, Parminder Nagra is to receive an honorary degree from University of Leicester next week. She began her career in the theatre world as an usher at Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre at the age of 16 and not long after started appearing on stage.

Her first role was in a musical, Nimai, with Leicester-based theatre company, Hathi Productions, soon after she had taken her A-levels. When the lead actress was taken ill Parminder stepped into her part. She later starred as Jess in Bend it Like Beckham and currently plays Neela in ER.