Acclaimed British actor Peter Egan has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Winchester for his “life-changing” work on animal welfare.

During a career spanning five decades, Peter Egan has become well known and well loved for his roles in TV, film and theatre, including his Bafta-winning performance in “The Hireling” and more recently, his portrayal of the Marquess of Flintshire in the international smash-hit “Downton Abbey”.

But Peter has become equally famous in recent years for his work to end animal cruelty, showing a passion for alleviating the suffering of abused animals that has seen him abseil for charity and become a committed vegan.

Now his long-running work has been recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters for services to social justice and animal welfare from the University of Winchester.

Peter became an Animals Asia UK ambassador in October 2012, and visited the animal welfare charity’s China Bear Rescue Centre in January 2013, where he met his namesake, Peter Bear, one of six moon bears rescued by Animals Asia from a bile farm in the province of Sichuan.

Hearing about the bear’s experience of being locked up in a tiny metal cage that he had literally grown into, never having stretched his long limbs, brought tears to his eyes Peter later said.

Besides speaking out for exploited moon bears, Peter has given his support to Afghanistan’s only officially recognised animal shelter and campaigned for an end to South Korea’s horrifying factory farming of dogs for consumption, among other causes.

“My commitment to the care of all the voiceless creatures on our wonderful planet, has taken me to many different locations: China for the moon bears, Afghanistan for dogs, South Korea for the dreadful dog meat trade, Sarajevo for the stray dogs, Philadelphia for puppy farms and soon Brussels for talks with MEPs about the appalling lack of welfare in countries in Eastern Europe,” Peter said in a Facebook post.

“I am attached now to more charities than I can name and I'm committed to sharing their work to the best of my ability. It would be fair to say that my connection to this cause has completely changed my life. I want to share this message with the world, ‘Animal Welfare is without doubt the issue of the century!’" he wrote.

Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“Peter is a convincing and enormously compassionate voice for the voiceless, who has dedicated himself to speaking up for their cause. He richly deserves this award for his tireless work defending some of the most abused, most frightened and most brutalised animals on this planet.

“Peter’s commitment to Animals Asia has been absolutely tireless - he never stops working, he is always available and he is always willing to help animals in need. He has brought the issues of bear bile farming and the dog meat trade to a whole new audience and we are thrilled that he has been recognised as a true ambassador for animals across the world.”

BACK