Bobby Seagull, world-renowned teacher, author and broadcaster, has been honored with the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s New Year’s Honors List.
Who is Bobby Seagull?
Seagull was born in Newham, London to parents originally from Kerala, India.
He has often shared the story behind his name; While his family surname is Joseph, his father adopted ‘Seagull’ in honor of Richard Bach’s inspiring novel Jonathan Livingston Seagull in the 1970s.
Mathematics teacher Jay Bobby Seagull, 41, was recognized for his committed work in support of public libraries.
Seagull first came to prominence during his outstanding career in 2017 in the BBC’s University Challenge, where he captained Emmanuel College, Cambridge, to the semi-finals.
His infectious enthusiasm made him a viral sensation. He used his newfound fame to promote mathematics and motivate students.
Bobby Seagull made a live television appearance on BBC Breakfast, where he shared his excitement about the MBE and revealed that he had kept the news a secret from his family. “I thought, should I message my family on WhatsApp? But I thought this deserves more than a thumbs up emoji.”
He added, I would tell each person in turn… I have a little niece called Emma and I told her I have an MBE and she said, ‘Uncle Bob, MBE.’ Dude, Bob, MBE.’”
The viral moment
A viral math question that Seagull posted on Threads by Bobby Seagull, a British primary school math teacher and TV personality, stumped the internet in mid-August of this year, and suddenly everyone needed a protractor.
Students, teachers and social networks were baffled by a complicated math question shared
Bobby Seagull posted that viral math puzzle his friend’s 7-year-old son was given at school.
Following his appearance on University Challenge, Seagull has maintained a prolific public career; His work includes co-authoring a 2017 quiz book with Eric Monkman titled The Monkman and Seagull Quiz Book and serves as an ambassador for National Numeracy, where he advocates for greater confidence in mathematics.
