UK national treasure Sir David Attenborough has just turned 100 years old today (8 May).
Ahead of his milestone centenary, the famed conservationist said he has been ‘completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings’ as he thanked well-wishers ‘most sincerely’.
Attenborough added that he had hoped to celebrate his 100th birthday ‘quietly’, but the special occasion will be marked with a live event at the Royal Albert Hall, which will be broadcast on BBC One, featuring music from his programmes, as well as stories and reflections from public figures and leading advocates for the natural world.
In a recorded audio message shared the night before his birthday, he said: “I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas.
The Royal Family has shared a birthday tribute for Sir David Attenborough (Kate Green / Stringer / Getty Images)
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings from pre-school groups to care home residents and countless individuals and families of all ages.
“I simply can’t reply to each of you all separately, but I would like to thank you all most sincerely for your kind messages.
“I wish those of you who have planned your own local events tomorrow a very happy day.”
The royal family has since shared a heartfelt birthday tribute message for Attenborough.
The official Instagram page shared a series of snaps of the writer, including throwback snaps of him with a baby-faced then-Prince Charles and Princess Anne, along with several other snaps alongside the monarch.
The then-Prince of Wales with his sister, Princess Anne, and Sir David Attenborough, back in 1950 (Mirrorpix / Contributor / Getty Images)
The account captioned the post: “Wishing Sir David Attenborough a very happy 100th birthday. Enjoy your special celebration this evening!”
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has described Attenborough as an ‘institutional pillar as essential to the national fabric as a cup of tea’.
Writing in Time magazine, Harry referred to Attenborough as ‘more than a broadcaster’, and instead a ‘secular saint’.
“Attenborough’s measured demeanour and lack of any conceivable agenda mean that the alarm bells he sounds signify all the more urgency,” he wrote.
“When a man who has quite literally seen it all begins to describe the loss of the planet’s stability, he isn’t being provocative. He is reporting from the front lines of a planet he has known longer, and more intimately, than almost anyone alive.”
Fans were quick to share birthday wishes on social media, with one Instagram user writing: “Happy 100th Birthday Sir David, and thank you for all your work for the environment.”
“Old age is such a blessing,” gushed a second as a third chimed in: “An absolute legend, the nation’s grandfather. Happy 100th Birthday!”
A fourth beamed: “Thank You For Everything, Sir David Attenborough, Wishing You Special, Most Precious Lifelong Birthday Wishes. Congratulations on completing 100 years of a beautiful journey. You are a true source of happiness and inspiration.”
“What an absolute icon!” echoed another, and a final Instagram user added: “What a legend!”
How David Attenborough ‘accidentally’ became a national treasure
Would you believe me if I said David Attenborough potentially could have never graced our screens?
Yep, it turns out that one of the world’s most beloved broadcasters somewhat accidentally fell into the role that would go on to catapult his career.
Rewinding back to 1952, Attenborough joined the BBC as a producer for the Talks department, which overlooked all non-fiction broadcasts. He went on to work on the 1954 series Zoo Quest, which followed a team from London Zoo travelling the world in search of exotic animals, but not initially as a presenter.
Appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2019, Attenborough explained how one day, he was suddenly thrust in front of the camera due to a presenter’s sickness.
Back in the 1950s, this was the age before recordings and all broadcasts were live, meaning producers had to think quickly on their feet if anything went wrong.
“The only reason I appeared was… the man from the London Zoo, who was going to do the presenting, got very ill and because it was a live show… he got ill the week before he was due to appear.”
He said because he was ‘the only other bloke around’, he was the only one who could appear onscreen as a replacement.
“So I left the control gallery, came down and did the show.”
And as simple as that, one of the most recognised and respected broadcasters in history was born!