Planet Earth 2
Got a nature doccie that needs a voice? Call David Attenborough – the naturalist has been narrating shows like Planet Earth II (2016-current) since the ’60s. And it’s something he enjoys: “It is not just a wildlife series. It is a sanctuary for the world that we live in,” Sir David says.
1 And while he’s the first to admit
that “I’m getting on”, the 90-yearold isn’t done yet: “How can you retire when shows are as beautifully filmed as Planet Earth? It is simply magnificent.”
2 That doesn’t mean he’s entirely
healthy – his insurance company forced him to have a pacemaker fitted in 2013 before flying to Australia.
3 He’s the last surviving brother of
a trio of very famous siblings. His younger brother John (who passed away in 2012) headed up car brands Rolls Royce and Alfa Romeo, while older brother Richard (who died in 2014) is best known as John Hammond in sci-fi movie Jurassic Park (1993).
4 David’s always been a peaceful
natured man and says that he detested national service – he was a naval officer for three years in the late ’40s.
5 He’s a fan of billiards and used
his position at the BBC to televise snooker on colour TV in 1969, “Which turned out to be an inspired decision if I do say so myself,” he laughs.
6 Family is important to the broad
caster and Sir David says that he holds his kids Robert and Susan, grandchildren and great grandkids “impossibly close to my heart”. He was married to wife Jane from 1950 until her passing in 1997 and he admits that he’s still heartbroken about losing her.
7 Having worked with almost all of
Earth’s wildlife, is there any animal he’s not fond of? “Rats – they are the ultimate horrible thing,” he says.