Sir David to BBC: Not everyone wants to watch Olympics

Broadcasting grandee sir david attenborough served as controller of BBc2 and director of programming for BBc television in the sixties and seventies, and later became known as the benign face and voice of natural history programmes.

However, he seems less than enthused about the corporation’s blanket coverage of the olympic games in rio.

While the Beeb was happy to bask in the reflected glory of team gB’s 27 gold medals, the legendary presenter — who celebrated his 90th birthday this year — says that alternative programmes should have been laid on for the legions of viewers who don’t like sport.

sir david (pictured) says: ‘after the olympics, it would be nice if someone said: “Well, actually, there are a few people in the country who don’t want necessarily to see people with very few clothes on jumping off something.” ’

so does he think the BBc over-did it?

‘Well, it’s only for two weeks. But i would like it if someone had actually sat around and said: “What are we going to provide for people who don’t watch sport?” and be content that they actually get a minority audience. that’s the important thing.

‘the BBc is the one organisation that can do that. it can say: “oK, we don’t mind there are people who don’t watch sport — we will provide them with something worth watching.” ’

a BBc spokeswoman says: ‘the rio olympic games were watched by more than 45 million people in the UK across BBc television.

‘the olympics were broadcast on no more than two network channels at any one time, ensuring the BBc’s third network tV channel offered alternative (nonsport) programming. We tried to ensure all programme changes were published well in advance to enable viewers to plan ahead.’

attenborough was speaking to radiotimes.com to promote his latest series of natural curiosities, which continues to shine a light on pairs of animals that share incredible traits and abilities, including giant pandas and the kiwi.

Let’s hope they all keep their clothes on . . .