THE man behind the resurgence of hit sci-fi TV show Doctor Who has been honoured by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) at its graduation ceremony.

Steven Moffat, who was born and raised in Paisley, was awarded an honourary doctorate alongside this years graduands at Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church on Tuesday.

And it was a day of double degree success for those associated with the show, with actor David Tennant, a former occupant of the Tardis, also awarded an honorary drama doctorate from his alma mater, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Moffat, who was originally an English teacher working at Cowdenknowes High School in Greenock, has been the lead writer and executive producer of Doctor Who since 2009.

He said: "It's always a joy to go home - but to go back to Paisley to receive a doctorate feels like I finally made it. I feel very honoured, and more importantly very happy."

Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of University of the West of Scotland, added: “Steven is quite simply one of the country’s greatest screenwriters and through his work on both the small and big screen he has brought joy to millions of viewers worldwide."

Dr Who star David Tennant travelled back in time as he returned to his old acting school to pick up an honorary degree.

Broadchurch actor Tennant, 46, was recognised during a ceremony in Glasgow along with choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne and cellist Ralph Kirshbaum.

Tennant studied drama at the Conservatoire from 1988 to 1991, then known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, before enjoying success on stage and screen.

He has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and more recently starred in the Bafta award-winning ITV series Broadchurch, but it was his turn as the 10th Doctor that secured him cult fame.

Tennant said: "I'm honoured and rather humbled to be here - it's all quite overwhelming but lovely to be back. It evokes some very vivid memories."

Meanwhile, it also emerged that the TV star has won a planning battle to overhaul his London home just a few months after his proposals were thrown out.

Tennant was left 'heartbroken' when he was told he couldn't put another storey on his substantial detached home in upmarket Chiswick, but has now been given the go-ahead to enlarge the loft and turn it into a fifth bedroom.