DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’S EMBARRASSING REJECTION LETTER

IN 1952, the 25-year-old younger brother of film star richard attenborough sent a handwritten letter to the beeb asking to try out for a producer’s job in radio. He outlined his recent experience in publishing and as an education officer in the royal Navy, and added a next-of-kin form, an ID photo – and a stamped addressed envelope! but the letter was stamped ‘rejected’ (above) due to his lack of experience.

Fortunately, everything is kept on file at the bbC, and David (right) was later invited in for an interview and given a place on the bbC television training Scheme. He went on to become controller of the fledgling bbC2 service, where he pioneered the introduction of colour tV, and 70 years on he’s regarded as the world’s greatest broadcaster – but his career was nearly over before it began.