Johnny Marr will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford, at a ceremony at The Lowry on July 19.

The Smiths guitarist, who has been a visiting professor in popular music at the university since 2007, said:

“I’m very pleased to be given an honorary degree by Salford University. I’ve enjoyed working with the students in my capacity as visiting professor and hopefully we can find some more opportunities for creative work in the future.”

He also quipped on Twitter:

Am being given an honorary doctorate by Salford Uni. Dr Johnny. Was being fitted for a gown. They say it’s a gown but it’s not. It’s a cape.

The former Smiths guitarist and drummer Mike Joyce recently denied rumours that The Smiths were set to reunite . In a short post on his official Facebook page, Marr commented: “The rumour of The Smiths reunion is untrue. It’s not happening.”

Back in February, Marr jokingly told NME that he would reform The Smiths only if the current coalition government stepped down, commenting:

“We won’t be reforming this week. Maybe if the government stepped down. If this government stepped down, I’ll reform the band. How’s that? That’s a fair trade, isn’t it? I think the country would be better off, don’t you?”

When asked if he had been tempted to speak to Morrissey about the prospect of a reunion, he told NME: “I don’t not speak to him, because that implies a certain standoff or whatever.” He continued: “He’s doing his thing and I’m doing mine, and we go through periods of time when we’re in communication and at times when we’re not. I’m not sure he wants to communicate, so I’ll just carry on doing what I’m doing, and live my life and be a musician.”

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