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Sir David Attenborough has expressed his heartfelt gratitude after being overwhelmed by the numerous messages he received in anticipation of his 100th birthday. The revered broadcaster and environmental champion is set to mark this significant milestone on Friday with a special concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Reflecting on the outpouring of goodwill in an audio statement released on Thursday, he shared his surprise at the celebrations planned in his honour.
“I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas,” Sir David remarked. He went on to acknowledge the diverse range of well-wishers, from young children in pre-school groups to residents of care homes, and countless families. “I simply can’t reply to each of you separately, but I’d like to thank you all most sincerely for your kind messages, and wish those of you who have planned your own local events: Have a very happy day.”
The upcoming concert at the Royal Albert Hall will culminate a week filled with special programming and events commemorating Sir David’s extraordinary life and career. Born in 1926 and joining the BBC in 1952, he has become an iconic figure in natural history broadcasting. Kirsty Young will host the 90-minute celebration, which will be broadcast on BBC One and available on iPlayer from 20:30 BST on Friday. The event will feature appearances by notable personalities such as Sir Michael Palin, Steve Backshall, Liz Bonnin, and Chris Packham, all reflecting on his enduring legacy.
Musical performances during the evening will highlight memorable wildlife scenes from Sir David’s acclaimed documentaries, with the BBC Concert Orchestra performing pieces tied to series like Planet Earth II and Frozen Planet II. Highlights include Bastille’s Dan Smith joining the orchestra for “Pompeii,” a song featured in Planet Earth III, and Sigur Rós performing “Hoppípolla,” which has been associated with both Planet Earth and Planet Earth II. Other guests will include singer Sienna Spiro and harpist Francisco Yglesia. Meanwhile, the BBC has been honoring Sir David through special broadcast content throughout the week, noting the remarkable mark he has left on natural history and broadcasting.
Adding to the birthday tributes, the Natural History Museum recently named a newly identified parasitic wasp species, Attenboroughnculus tau, after him. This insect, native to Chile’s Patagonian lakes, was discovered in the museum’s archives decades after initially being collected. This honour complements a range of living species previously named in his memory, including a wildflower, butterfly, grasshopper, dinosaur, and ghost shrimp. Sir David, born in west London on 8 May 1926, is also remembered for his seminal series such as The Life Collection, The Trials of Life, and The Blue Planet
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