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The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'Remarkable': tribute as David Attenborough turns 99
David Attenborough has "one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever", a BBC executive says, as the naturalist and filmmaker turns 99. Attenborough, who has been on TV screens for more than seven decades presenting programs such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet, celebrates his birthday on Thursday. Mike Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, told the PA news agency: "Each generation has its own kind of personal legacy from him, and ... that's remarkable. "But also, there's a broader, I suppose, global legacy, which I think is that he has shown us wonders, he's helped us understand wonders, and he's encouraged us to protect these wonders." Gunton began working with the broadcaster aged 29, said it had been "a life-defining experience" for him. "Every program I have made with him has been a remarkable experience which the audience have always found completely memorable and worthwhile and that's a joy for anybody, to make things that are remembered, you know, they're historic, they're part of human history," Gunton said. David Frederick Attenborough was born in London in 1926, the son of a principal of Leicester University College. Before joining the BBC in 1952, he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy. He made his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC. In 1965 he became controller of BBC2, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming. Ultimately, however, life as a broadcast executive did not appeal and he returned with relief to his early passions, program-making and filming the wildlife that fascinated him so much. His famous whispering voice captured the imaginations around the world in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel The Living Planet in 1984. He was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II the following year. The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane whom he married in 1950. In recent years, Attenborough has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III. In celebration of his 99th birthday, a new documentary about the health of the ocean will air in cinemas from Thursday. It comes after the King and Attenborough attended the premiere of Ocean With David Attenborough in London on Tuesday. David Attenborough has "one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever", a BBC executive says, as the naturalist and filmmaker turns 99. Attenborough, who has been on TV screens for more than seven decades presenting programs such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet, celebrates his birthday on Thursday. Mike Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, told the PA news agency: "Each generation has its own kind of personal legacy from him, and ... that's remarkable. "But also, there's a broader, I suppose, global legacy, which I think is that he has shown us wonders, he's helped us understand wonders, and he's encouraged us to protect these wonders." Gunton began working with the broadcaster aged 29, said it had been "a life-defining experience" for him. "Every program I have made with him has been a remarkable experience which the audience have always found completely memorable and worthwhile and that's a joy for anybody, to make things that are remembered, you know, they're historic, they're part of human history," Gunton said. David Frederick Attenborough was born in London in 1926, the son of a principal of Leicester University College. Before joining the BBC in 1952, he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy. He made his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC. In 1965 he became controller of BBC2, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming. Ultimately, however, life as a broadcast executive did not appeal and he returned with relief to his early passions, program-making and filming the wildlife that fascinated him so much. His famous whispering voice captured the imaginations around the world in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel The Living Planet in 1984. He was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II the following year. The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane whom he married in 1950. In recent years, Attenborough has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III. In celebration of his 99th birthday, a new documentary about the health of the ocean will air in cinemas from Thursday. It comes after the King and Attenborough attended the premiere of Ocean With David Attenborough in London on Tuesday. David Attenborough has "one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever", a BBC executive says, as the naturalist and filmmaker turns 99. Attenborough, who has been on TV screens for more than seven decades presenting programs such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet, celebrates his birthday on Thursday. Mike Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, told the PA news agency: "Each generation has its own kind of personal legacy from him, and ... that's remarkable. "But also, there's a broader, I suppose, global legacy, which I think is that he has shown us wonders, he's helped us understand wonders, and he's encouraged us to protect these wonders." Gunton began working with the broadcaster aged 29, said it had been "a life-defining experience" for him. "Every program I have made with him has been a remarkable experience which the audience have always found completely memorable and worthwhile and that's a joy for anybody, to make things that are remembered, you know, they're historic, they're part of human history," Gunton said. David Frederick Attenborough was born in London in 1926, the son of a principal of Leicester University College. Before joining the BBC in 1952, he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy. He made his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC. In 1965 he became controller of BBC2, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming. Ultimately, however, life as a broadcast executive did not appeal and he returned with relief to his early passions, program-making and filming the wildlife that fascinated him so much. His famous whispering voice captured the imaginations around the world in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel The Living Planet in 1984. He was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II the following year. The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane whom he married in 1950. In recent years, Attenborough has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III. In celebration of his 99th birthday, a new documentary about the health of the ocean will air in cinemas from Thursday. It comes after the King and Attenborough attended the premiere of Ocean With David Attenborough in London on Tuesday. David Attenborough has "one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever", a BBC executive says, as the naturalist and filmmaker turns 99. Attenborough, who has been on TV screens for more than seven decades presenting programs such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet, celebrates his birthday on Thursday. Mike Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, told the PA news agency: "Each generation has its own kind of personal legacy from him, and ... that's remarkable. "But also, there's a broader, I suppose, global legacy, which I think is that he has shown us wonders, he's helped us understand wonders, and he's encouraged us to protect these wonders." Gunton began working with the broadcaster aged 29, said it had been "a life-defining experience" for him. "Every program I have made with him has been a remarkable experience which the audience have always found completely memorable and worthwhile and that's a joy for anybody, to make things that are remembered, you know, they're historic, they're part of human history," Gunton said. David Frederick Attenborough was born in London in 1926, the son of a principal of Leicester University College. Before joining the BBC in 1952, he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy. He made his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC. In 1965 he became controller of BBC2, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming. Ultimately, however, life as a broadcast executive did not appeal and he returned with relief to his early passions, program-making and filming the wildlife that fascinated him so much. His famous whispering voice captured the imaginations around the world in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel The Living Planet in 1984. He was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II the following year. The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane whom he married in 1950. In recent years, Attenborough has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III. In celebration of his 99th birthday, a new documentary about the health of the ocean will air in cinemas from Thursday. It comes after the King and Attenborough attended the premiere of Ocean With David Attenborough in London on Tuesday.
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
David Attenborough's 'global legacy' celebrated as broadcaster turns 99
David Attenborough has got to have "one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever", a BBC executive has said. The naturalist, who has been on our TV screens for more than seven decades presenting programmes such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet, is celebrating his 99th birthday. Mike Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, told the PA news agency: "Each generation has its own kind of personal legacy from him, and I think that's remarkable. "But also, there's a broader, I suppose, global legacy, which I think is that he has shown us wonders, he's helped us understand wonders, and he's encouraged us to protect these wonders. "If you could do that in a lifetime, and speak to hundreds upon hundreds of millions of people and inspire them to do all that, that's got to be one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever. "And I think he's aware of that, and the responsibility of that, and he often talks about the privilege of being able to do that, and it's a privilege for those of us who have worked with him to have." Mr Gunton began working with the broadcaster aged 29, said it has been "a life defining experience" for him. He told PA: "Every programme I have made with him has been a remarkable experience which the audience have always found completely memorable and worthwhile and that's a joy for anybody, to make things that are remembered, you know, they're historic, they're part of human history." Attenborough was born David Frederick Attenborough on 8 May 1926, in London, son of an academic and principal of Leicester University College. Before joining the BBC in 1952 he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy. He made his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC. In 1965 he became controller of BBC2, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming. Ultimately, however, life as a broadcast executive did not appeal and he returned with relief to his early passions, programme-making and filming the wildlife which fascinated him so much. His famous whispering voice captured the imaginations of the nation in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel The Living Planet in 1984. The following year, he was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II before being awarded a Knight Grand Cross honour years later in 2022. The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane whom he married in 1950. In recent years Attenborough, who resides in Richmond, has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III. In celebration of his 99th birthday a new documentary about the health of the ocean will air in cinemas from Thursday. It comes after Britain's King Charles and Attenborough attended the premiere of Ocean With David Attenborough on Tuesday. Also to mark his birthday, and the publication of his new book, Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness, John Murray Press are giving at least 1,000 copies to schools and libraries across the UK.
Powys County Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Sir David Attenborough's ‘global legacy' celebrated as broadcaster turns 99
Sir David Attenborough has got to have 'one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever', a BBC executive has said. The naturalist, who has been on our TV screens for more than seven decades presenting programmes such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet, is celebrating his 99th birthday. Mike Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, told the PA news agency: 'Each generation has its own kind of personal legacy from him, and I think that's remarkable. 'But also, there's a broader, I suppose, global legacy, which I think is that he has shown us wonders, he's helped us understand wonders, and he's encouraged us to protect these wonders. 'If you could do that in a lifetime, and speak to hundreds upon hundreds of millions of people and inspire them to do all that, that's got to be one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever. 'And I think he's aware of that, and the responsibility of that, and he often talks about the privilege of being able to do that, and it's a privilege for those of us who have worked with him to have.' Mr Gunton began working with the broadcaster aged 29, said it has been 'a life defining experience' for him. He told PA: 'Every programme I have made with him has been a remarkable experience which the audience have always found completely memorable and worthwhile and that's a joy for anybody, to make things that are remembered, you know, they're historic, they're part of human history.' Sir David was born David Frederick Attenborough on May 8 1926, in London, son of an academic and principal of Leicester University College. Before joining the BBC in 1952 he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy. He made his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC. In 1965 he became controller of BBC2, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming. Ultimately, however, life as a broadcast executive did not appeal and he returned with relief to his early passions, programme-making and filming the wildlife which fascinated him so much. His famous whispering voice captured the imaginations of the nation in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel The Living Planet in 1984. The following year, he was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II before being awarded a Knight Grand Cross honour years later in 2022. The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane whom he married in 1950. In recent years Sir David, who resides in Richmond, has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III. In celebration of his 99th birthday a new documentary about the health of the ocean will air in cinemas from Thursday. It comes after the King and Sir David attended the premiere of Ocean With David Attenborough on Tuesday. Also to mark his birthday, and the publication of his new book, Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness, John Murray Press are giving at least 1,000 copies to schools and libraries across the UK.
The Herald Scotland
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Sir David Attenborough's ‘global legacy' celebrated as broadcaster turns 99
Mike Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, told the PA news agency: 'Each generation has its own kind of personal legacy from him, and I think that's remarkable. King Charles III meets David Attenborough as he attends the premiere of 'Ocean with David Attenborough', at the Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall in London on May 6 (Alistair Grant/PA) 'But also, there's a broader, I suppose, global legacy, which I think is that he has shown us wonders, he's helped us understand wonders, and he's encouraged us to protect these wonders. 'If you could do that in a lifetime, and speak to hundreds upon hundreds of millions of people and inspire them to do all that, that's got to be one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever. 'And I think he's aware of that, and the responsibility of that, and he often talks about the privilege of being able to do that, and it's a privilege for those of us who have worked with him to have.' Mr Gunton began working with the broadcaster aged 29, said it has been 'a life defining experience' for him. He told PA: 'Every programme I have made with him has been a remarkable experience which the audience have always found completely memorable and worthwhile and that's a joy for anybody, to make things that are remembered, you know, they're historic, they're part of human history.' Sir David Attenborough in the press room with the Impact award at the National Television Awards 2018 (Ian West/PA) Sir David was born David Frederick Attenborough on May 8 1926, in London, son of an academic and principal of Leicester University College. Before joining the BBC in 1952 he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy. He made his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC. In 1965 he became controller of BBC2, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming. Ultimately, however, life as a broadcast executive did not appeal and he returned with relief to his early passions, programme-making and filming the wildlife which fascinated him so much. Prince Charles with his sister Princess Anne meet David Attenborough and Cocky, the cockatoo brought back from his last Zoo Quest expedition, at the BBC Television Studios (PA) His famous whispering voice captured the imaginations of the nation in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel The Living Planet in 1984. The following year, he was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II before being awarded a Knight Grand Cross honour years later in 2022. The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane whom he married in 1950. In recent years Sir David, who resides in Richmond, has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III. In celebration of his 99th birthday a new documentary about the health of the ocean will air in cinemas from Thursday. It comes after the King and Sir David attended the premiere of Ocean With David Attenborough on Tuesday. Also to mark his birthday, and the publication of his new book, Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness, John Murray Press are giving at least 1,000 copies to schools and libraries across the UK.
The Age
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
David Attenborough has a new film for his 99th birthday – and it's surprisingly optimistic
David Attenborough is doing what he does best for his 99th birthday next Thursday … presenting a new film. The legendary British natural historian, broadcaster and documentary filmmaker, who has hosted such landmark series as Life on Earth, The Living Planet and Frozen Planet over more than 70 years, is still hard at work. His latest documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough, opens in cinemas around the world on his birthday. 'He's remarkable,' co-director Colin Butfield says on a Zoom call from England. 'He's coming to the premiere, he's in fantastic form. I've just written a book with him, which is tiring enough for me, and I'm 52. I don't think he's ever going to stop working.' Ocean has Attenborough reflecting – in that famously authoritative voice – on what he has learnt over his lifetime. 'After living for nearly 100 years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea,' he says. 'To this day, we have seen more of other planets than we have of the ocean. Now we are making discoveries that completely change our understanding and could offer a better future for everyone on Earth forever.' The film shows some alarming threats to the ocean's vitality, including industrial bottom-trawling. A chain or metal boom is dragged across the seabed, turning it into an underwater desert, to catch a single species, with almost everything else caught in a net discarded. 'Lines of baited hooks 50 miles long reel in millions of sharks every year,' Attenborough adds. 'We have now killed two-thirds of all large predatory fish.' Also concerning are huge trawlers harvesting krill in Antarctica, threatening the food supply of almost every creature there, to supply fish farms, health supplements, and pet food. Another bad sign is mass coral bleaching in Florida, the Caribbean, the Maldives, and the Great Barrier Reef, attributed to heatwave conditions around the world.
