The Dudley-born comedian offered university places directly to students yesterday as he joined the clearing team at Birmingham City University.

Lenny, who is currently Chancellor of the University, was manning the lines at the institution’s City Centre Campus, to talk to would-be students looking for places on degree courses.

Along with dozens of members of staff, he started answering calls from prospective students at 6am, beginning a non-stop day and night service which will be running throughout the weekend. Also answering phones on the hotline will be current students who came to Birmingham City University via the Clearing process themselves last year.

Thousands of calls are expected to come in to the hotlines each day, as students bid to take the next steps into Higher Education. Sir Lenny said:

“Starting Higher Education had a transformative impact on me, and for many students Clearing will be the first steps they take on that journey. Securing a place at university was a proud moment and eventually led me to become Chancellor here, and that is why I’ll take so much pleasure from being able to offer others the same opportunity."

Birmingham City University will also be offering places on its courses through social media after receiving more than 600 Clearing enquiries on the platforms last year. 

Whilst clearing allows Universities to match students to courses where they didn't meet the grade for their first choice, thousands of youngsters across the Black Country were celebrating yesterday after receiving their A-Level results.

Stourbridge College achieved success with an overall pass rate of 96 per cent, while Hagley Catholic High School broke their own record with more than 80 per cent of all grades coming in at A* to C.

Elsewhere, both Halesowen College and Dudley College celebrated an overall pass rate of 98 per cent.