Top News

Sir David Attenborough, who turns 100 on Friday, has inspired millions of people worldwide through his extraordinary wildlife programmes. One segment that left a lasting impression on him and viewers was his 1978 encounter with a family of mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Virunga mountains.

While filming the series Life on Earth, Sir David felt a weight at his feet - it was Pablo, a three-year-old great ape. Another young gorilla lay across his body, while just at the edge of the picture Pablo tried to remove his shoes. Recalling the moment for a 2026 Netflix documentary, Sir David said: "Many people would think it was the most important sequence in that series, if not, actually, in my filmed life."

The 13-part series featured footage from 30 countries. More than 500million people tuned in - 11.4% of the global population.

In 1984, Sir David became one of the first underwater presenters when he observed the grey reef shark in The Living Planet.

He then presented in zero gravity from the NASA experimental plane, nicknamed the vomit comet, where he ended his commentary completely upside down.

The broadcasting giant took viewers swimming with dolphins in 1990 in Trials of Life, strapping on his scuba diving suit to eavesdrop on their conversations.

In 2011, on Frozen Planet, he became the oldest person to visit the North Pole, venturing into high altitudes and extreme cold at the age of 84.

Sir David also returned as a presenter for Blue Planet II in 2017, which became the most-watched UK television show of that year. A chart-topping 14million tuned in to the first episode, which included dramatic footage of walruses fighting to find a home, along with dazzling scenes of surfing dolphins and a sex-changing fish.

Sir David was awarded one of Britain's highest honours, the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, by the then Prince of Wales in 2022.