Actor James McAvoy has graduated from drama school - eight years later than his classmates.

The Atonement star was in his home city of Glasgow to receive a fellowship from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) where he studied until 2000.

Returning to his former school, McAvoy, 29, said he had been busy with work commitments and missed his graduation ceremony that year.

He said he was "completely honoured" to come back to the RSAMD with his family to receive the alumni award.

McAvoy was joined by film industry legend Lord Attenborough, 85.

The Oscar-winning director, producer and actor was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Drama by the Academy, which dates back to 1847.

Doctor Who star David Tennant, Tom Conti, Alan Cumming and Robert Carlyle are all former students.

McAvoy said: "The academy has been involved in my life a lot, from before I even knew of it, just through music teachers who studied here and then through a short time at youth theatre.

"When I finally came here it had the most profound effect on my life.

"I'm privileged to be associated with this place, but to be recognised by it - I am just completely honoured."

McAvoy, who went from the television series Shameless to films including the Last King Of Scotland, The Notebook and The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, recently backed a campaign opposing cuts at the RSAMD.

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