Sir David Attenborough Overwhelmed by Birthday Messages
Sir David Attenborough has expressed that he is "completely overwhelmed" by the numerous messages he has received in anticipation of his 100th birthday.
The esteemed broadcaster and environmentalist will mark this significant milestone on Friday, with a special concert scheduled for the evening at London's Royal Albert Hall.
In an audio message released on Thursday, Sir David stated:
"I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas.
I have 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 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."
Centenary Concert at Royal Albert Hall
The concert on Friday evening at the Royal Albert Hall will serve as the culmination of a week filled with special events and broadcast programming honoring Sir David, who was born in 1926 and began his career at the BBC in 1952.
Presenter Kirsty Young will host the 90-minute special celebrating Sir David's life, which will be broadcast on BBC One and available on from 20:30 BST on Friday.
Distinguished guests such as Sir Michael Palin, Steve Backshall, Liz Bonnin, and Chris Packham will attend the event to reflect on Sir David's life and legacy.
Ahead of the concert, Young remarked:
"Sir David's gift to the world has been a life spent exquisitely revealing Earth's wonders to us all.
The very least he deserves is a big 100th birthday bash at the Royal Albert Hall. I'm very happy indeed, as the host, to be able to invite everyone to the party."
Celebrating a Life in Natural History
The event will highlight some of the most iconic wildlife moments from Sir David's career and the BBC's natural history archive.
Live music will be provided by the BBC Concert Orchestra, featuring pieces associated with his most renowned television series, including the snakes and iguanas chase from Planet Earth II, and the wave-washing orcas sequence from Frozen Planet II.
The concert will also showcase performances by Bastille frontman Dan Smith, who will join the orchestra for a rendition of the band's hit "Pompeii," which was featured in Planet Earth III.
Additionally, Sigur Rós will perform "Hoppípolla," a piece used in the promotion of Planet Earth and Planet Earth II. Other musical guests include singer Sienna Spiro and harpist Francisco Yglesia.
BBC Celebrations and Programming
The BBC has dedicated the week to celebrating Sir David's centenary with special programming.
Last weekend, a documentary aired featuring Sir David and members of his former production team reflecting on the creation of their groundbreaking 1979 series Life on Earth.
Meanwhile, the recent BBC One series Secret Garden featured Sir David exploring the hidden worlds and wildlife thriving in British gardens. Many of his other programmes have also been made available as part of a dedicated collection on .
Kate Phillips, the BBC's chief content officer, described Sir David's 100th birthday as an "extraordinary" moment and called him a "truly remarkable individual."
Newly Named Attenborough Wasp
Born in west London on 8 May 1926, Sir David has fronted pioneering natural history series including his Life Collection, The Trials of Life, and The Blue Planet.
He had two children with his wife Jane, who passed away in 1997. His brother Richard Attenborough, an Oscar-winning actor and director, died in 2014.
On Thursday, the Natural History Museum honored Sir David by naming a species of parasitic wasp after him.
The Attenboroughnculus tau is native to the Patagonian lakes of Chile, and a specimen was recently identified in the museum's collection, four decades after it was collected.
Other species named after Sir David include a wildflower, butterfly, grasshopper, dinosaur, and ghost shrimp.
