By Grant Smith, education reporter

DUNDEE-BORN ACTOR Brian Cox said last night he was “absolutely delighted” to have won the election for rector of Dundee University.

He was given overwhelming backing by the students, taking almost two-thirds of the votes in an online poll.

The 63-year-old is filming in Canada and learned of his victory after The Courier contacted his sister Betty, who lives in the city, and she phoned him to pass on the good news.

She said, “He couldn’t believe it. He was dumbstruck for a moment.

“He said he was absolutely delighted and he said he would do his best for the students and it was a great honour.”

Mr Cox had the backing of 1034 students compared to 315 for Green MSP Robin Harper and 273 for Professor Nikolai Zhelev, head of the Bulgarian consulate.

The result also delighted Donald Gavine, who proposed Mr Cox for the post. He said the university would gain from having a “world-recognisable face” as rector.

He added that he believed the actor would be able to fulfil his duties despite his busy schedule. The rector is meant to represent the student body and sits on the university court, which meets several times a year.

Outgoing rector Craig Murray—a former ambassador whose relations with university management were anything but diplomatic—stood down after one three-year term, saying it was too difficult for him to spend time in Dundee.

Mr Cox, by contrast, is a long-term supporter of the university and visited only two months ago for a tour of the drug discovery unit.

He had previously supported a fund-raising campaign for the £21 million Sir James Black Centre. It carries out research into a variety of diseases, including diabetes, which he was diagnosed with several years ago.

An actor since his teens, Mr Cox is one of Scotland’s most famous celebrities. His career started at Dundee Rep and he has gone on to star in several major Hollywood movies including Troy and X-Men 2.

In 2003 he arranged for the latter’s Scottish premiere, held in Edinburgh, to raise money for the university’s centre for interdisciplinary research.

He was also the first person to play Hannibal Lecter on screen, in Manhunter.

Mr Cox’s sister said, “It was probably the fact that he’s local that has made a big difference and of course he has done a lot with Professor Cohen and the Wellcome Trust building. I just hope he can fulfil what’s expected of him.”

Mr Gavine said, “They were all great candidates but I am very happy that Brian has won. I think people liked that he was from Dundee and has given a lot to Dundee University in the past.”

The new rector follows in the footsteps of other famous names such as Peter Ustinov, Stephen Fry and Lorraine Kelly.

This was the first time the election had been held online rather than with a ballot box and voting papers. It enabled students to vote over two days.

Students association president Andrew Smith said, “We found it increased the turnout dramatically and we will be using this system from now on.”

He said he believed the students and university would have a “fantastic representative” in Mr Cox, who would be able to “bring a lot of weight to the role” and provide valuable publicity, as well as taking an active part in university affairs.

Mr Smith added, “There are some big decisions to be made and cuts are coming in the public sector.

“I think Craig Murray really changed the role and politicised it and we need that to continue in the current economic circumstances.”