The BBC Blue Peter Gold Badge is one of the most prestigious awards in British public life. Past recipients include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sir David Attenborough, JK Rowling, and Marcus Rashford. It is awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution or achievement — and it does not often go to a 7-year-old.
But then, Jayce Joyce BCyA is not often anything.
We are incredibly proud to share that Jayce has received the BBC Blue Peter Gold Badge, making him one of the youngest recipients in the award’s history. The recognition came for his extraordinary contribution to early literacy, his record-breaking publishing achievements, and his ongoing work to inspire children across the UK and beyond.
What the Blue Peter Gold Badge means
Blue Peter is the longest-running children’s television programme in the world, and the Gold Badge is its highest honour — reserved for individuals who go above and beyond in their impact on children and young people. It is not applied for. It cannot be requested. It is given by the Blue Peter team because of what someone has done, not what they have planned to do.
For Jayce, it is recognition of a journey that began at 15 months old — when he first gripped a pencil with an adult’s precision and refused to put it down. It is recognition of World Book Day 2023, when he published two books simultaneously at age 4 and became the world’s youngest author to publish a book series simultaneously. It is recognition of the storytime sessions he has led across Birmingham, the 1,000+ children he has inspired, the Uganda school kits, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Christmas visits, and the UK’s first nationwide child-led anthology — Our Stories, Our World.
What Jayce’s family say
“To say I am proud is an understatement.” — Anim Joyce, Jayce’s mother, speaking to ITV News.
That understatement carries everything.
What this means for Jayce’s World
The Blue Peter Gold Badge does not change who Jayce is or what he does. He will continue to write, to visit schools, to run workshops, and to champion the idea that every child has a story worth telling. But it does confirm, loudly and publicly, what those who have worked with Jayce have known for some time: that this is a child whose impact on British literacy and culture is already significant — and who is only just beginning.
If you would like to book Jayce for your school or library, or simply want to explore his books and gift boxes, everything is at jaycesworld.co.uk.
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