BBC reveals plans to honour Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday in major update
Fans of the documentary filmmake are being treated to three new programmes about his work
Sir David Attenborough has worked with the BBC for over 70 years(Image: PA)
The BBC have revealed its plans to honour Sir David Attenborough in a major update ahead of the legendary documentary filmmaker’s 100th birthday.
Born back in 1926, Sir David will be turning 100 on Friday, May 8. The Middlesex native has been working with the BBC since back in 1954 when he began presenting the hit series Zoo Quest, which ran until 1963.
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Over the years, Sir David has hosted acclaimed programmes such as The Life Collection, Natural World, Wildlife on One, the Planet Earth franchise, The Blue Planet and Blue Planet II.
Sir David has collected countless awards as a result of his work, including three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Narration and one Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Personalit. Additionally, he’s the only person to have won BAFTA Awards in black-and-white, colour, high-definition, 3D and 4K resolution.
To celebrate Sir David’s milestone birthday, the BBC announced on Wednesday evening (February 18) that they will be airing three new shows in his honour.
The week-long special programme features new and old shows by the presenter, in what the BBC are describing as a tribute to his ‘extraordinary milestone’.
Sir David is one of the most celebrated broadcasters in Britain(Image: CHRIS J RATCLIFFE, POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
One of the new programmes, titled Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure, will go behind the scenes of the landmark BBC One series which was first broadcast in 1979. The series followed Sir David as he travelled to 40 countries to film 600 species.
The special features new interviews of the wildlife broadcaster and the original production team as they reflect on the making of Life on Earth, and the challenges they faced along the way including a coup in the Comoros, being shot at as well as Sir David’s encounter with gorillas in Rwanda.
The second new series Secret Garden sees Sir David showcase the hidden worlds within Britain’s gardens.Over five episodes, the series is seeking to capture the rich diversity of life in Britain’s back gardens while also reflecting on how the public can do their bit to save struggling species.
David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth is a live event from the Royal Albert Hall featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra and special guests, including the man of the hour.
On top of all of this, the week will also see special episodes from Sir David’s most-loved series including Planet Earth II; Seven Worlds, One Planet; Blue Planet II; Planet Earth III; Frozen Planet II; and his most recent film Wild London, along with a dedicated collection of 40 of Sir David’s most-loved programmes on iPlayer.
Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for specialist factual at the BBC, said: “It’s impossible to overstate what Sir David Attenborough has given us.
“His programmes have not only defined science and natural history broadcasting, but they have also changed how we see our planet and our place within it.
“This special week is a celebration of an extraordinary milestone and of a body of work that continues to inspire awe, curiosity and care for the natural world.”
He added: “It’s also a moment for all of us at the BBC to say thank you to David — for his generosity, for his brilliance and for a lifetime spent bringing the wonders of nature into our homes.”
