University Challenge star Eric Monkman on his new Radio 4 show – and ‘Monkmania’ Eric Monkman, the University Challenge contestant who found viral fame through his animated facial expressions and boundless knowledge, is set […]

Eric Monkman, the University Challenge contestant who found viral fame through his animated facial expressions and boundless knowledge, is set to present a new radio show for the BBC.

Teaming up with Bobby Seagull – a fellow University Challenge breakout star – the duo will helm ‘Monkman and Seagull’s Polymathic Adventure’ on Radio 4 this month.

Confirmed guests include Stephen Fry, as the show sets out to explore the value of intelligence in the modern world.

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“Our adventure began with a question,” Monkman tells i.

“Is it worthwhile to know a little bit about a lot of different subjects, or is that sort of knowledge base only useful on University Challenge?

“We hope that learning more about people who have achieved success in many fields… will help the audience decide the answer to that question.”

“You will hear from a professor of intellectual history and a biographer of past polymaths,” he adds.

“You will also hear from a young scientist to learn about why specialisation is important in the modern world.

“We enjoyed learning from the guests we interviewed, and we are hoping that the audience will also enjoy learning from them.”

A friendly rivalry

Monkman reveals that despite being on rival University Challenge teams, he and Seagull “were friends before our match against each other”.

“Bobby arranged practice matches between different Cambridge-based teams,” he explains.

“It was useful preparation, and I am grateful to him for it. But I can confirm that Emmanuel College did win the occasional practice match against Wolfson, so the televised match could’ve easily gone the other way.”

So what does the future hold for Monkman, and could this be the start of a long, successful career in media?

He’s certainly had a lot of opportunities in the wake of ‘Monkmania’.

“I have really appreciated everyone who has offered me any sort of opportunity,” he says.

“I better not say whether I found any of them strange. I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”

Monkman and Seagull’s Polymathic Adventure is on Radio 4 on August 21