A BBC newsreader has left viewers in hysterics after impersonating a seagull live on air. Maryam Moshiri left people delighted with her quirky behaviour as she squawked during a bulletin earlier this week.
"I can feel you really want me to do an impression of a seagull so I'm going to give it a go," she said before squawking at the camera. "Is that okay?" I'm hearing my ear I've been sacked. Oh well," she then joked after her performance.
It left many viewers pleading for more context after her baffling behaviour. Earlier in the day on BBC Breakfast, a nine-year-old boy from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, wearing a bird costume had sparked delight with a seagull impression after claiming victory in a European Gull Screeching competition.
Cooper, also known as “Seagull Boy”, first started his vocal impressions of a seagull after being pecked by one in Devon while tucking into a tuna sandwich. After initially annoying his mum Lauren, she soon realised her son had an uncanny ability to mimic the much-maligned bird.
She told the BBC: “People would start to turn around and look for the seagull.”
Cooper said: “I feel like they’re a really nice animal. I like them because of their noise. Sometimes they can be a bit scary and I’m still a bit wary of eating at the beach, so that’s why I eat in a small tent."
He scored 92 points out of a possible 100 in the competition in Belgium, which meant he won the juvenile category and also had the highest points score in the competition. He later appeared on the BBC Breakfast settee, treating viewers to an impression.
That performance prompted Maryam to follow suit - and it won rave reviews. "Honestly love this woman," tweeted @DanielJaeWebb.
"Holy s***, STOP BEING SO ICONIC!!," said @flikQ, while @klewis1993 added: "In my head, my TV licence this year went to this and only this, and I’m very happy for it."
@VanessaLobato00 said: "Just when you think @BBCMaryam couldn't get any better she does this! Excellent! I'm saddened to see the cuts in BBC News and World Service and miss some of the newsreaders that have recently left but Maryam is steering the ship with humour and grace and I'm loving it."
"She is a national treasure!" added @atamblyn99.
It is not the first time Maryam has hit the headlines recently. In December last year, she apologised after being caught raising her middle finger to the camera during a live broadcast.
