Sir David Attenborough

Now 80 this year, Sir David Attenborough's most recent projects to air include the enormously popular and extraordinary natural history series - Planet Earth. He is currently filming for his latest series, Life in Cold Blood, which will explore the lives of reptiles and amphibians and is scheduled to transmit in 2008. On his 80th birthday in May this year he will be on the Galapagos islands filming the Giant tortoises, one of whom, the famous Lonesome George, is about the same age.In April 2005, Sir David was awarded the Order of Merit by the Queen which recognises exceptional distinction in the arts, sciences and other areas.His 50-year career in broadcasting was celebrated in Life on Air.
Pioneering programmes
Sir David Attenborough's distinguished career in broadcasting now spans more than 50 years. It began in 1952 when he joined BBC Television Talks Department at Alexandra Palace. In 1954 he launched the first of his famous Zoo Quest series which, over the next 10 years, took him to the wilder parts of the world. In between times, his programmes included political broadcasts, archaeological quizzes, short stories, gardening and religious programmes.
Seeing in colour
In 1965, Sir David became Controller of BBC2 and was responsible for the introduction of colour television into Britain. In January 1969, he was appointed Director of Programmes with editorial responsibility for both of the BBC's television networks. Then, in 1973, he resigned to return to programme-making, claiming "I haven't even seen the Galapagos Islands". First came Eastwards with Attenborough, a natural history series set in South East Asia, then The Tribal Eye, examining tribal art.
Landmark TV
An estimated 500 million people worldwide watched the 13-part series Life on Earth, written and presented by Sir David. At the time it was the most ambitious series ever produced by the BBC Natural History Unit. Its sequel, The Living Planet, came five years later in 1984 and in 1990 the final part of the trilogy, The Trials of Life was broadcast. He also wrote and presented two shorter series, The First Eden, on the long history of mankind's relationship with the natural world in the lands around the Mediterranean, and Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives, about fossils.
In 1993, Sir David presented the spectacular Life in the Freezer, a celebration of Antarctica and in 1995, he wrote and presented the epic The Private Life of Plants. In 1996, Attenborough in Paradise fulfilled a lifelong ambition to make a special film about the elusive but beautiful birds of paradise. In 1997, he narrated the award-winning Wildlife Specials, marking 40 years of the BBC Natural History Unit. In 1998, he completed an epic 10-part series for the BBC, The Life of Birds. In Autumn 2000 he presented State of the Planet and in Autumn 2001 he narrated The Blue Planet. In 2002 he worked on the innovative new BBC1 series, The Life of Mammals and in 2005 he fronted Life In The Undergrowth.
Voted as #1 Favorite Attenborough Moment, the incredible Lyrebird.
Birds Of Papau New Guinea.
Sir David Attenborough - NTA Special Award Part 1
Sir David Attenborough - NTA Special Award Part 2
Sir David Attenborough: The Truth About Climate Change.
Wildlife Asia Sir David Attenborough Endorsement.
The Selfish Green Part One
The Selfish Green Part Two
The Selfish Green Part Three
The Selfish Green Part Four
The Selfish Green Part Five
The Selfish Green Part Six
The Selfish Green Part Seven