David Attenborough: Nobody Does it Better

A few days ago it was revealed that the polled favourite name for the arctic research ship, ‘Boaty McBoatface’, had been superceded by another name. ‘RRS Sir David Attenborough’. With any other name, people would’ve been annoyed that the poll had been completely ignored to give it a more formal name, yet the fact that it was named after Attenborough seemed to be greeted with a resounding, ‘fair enough’.

Everyone seems to agree that David Attenborough is one of the greatest living Britains, thus, the naming of a research vessel after him, just as he turns 90, is a pretty smart decision and one that people are more than happy to agree with.

Frankly there is no other person who can quite match Attenborough. His warm charm, soothing voice and evident passion for his work make him a national treasure and for over 50 years he has delighted and entertained us with some of the most awe-inspiring and groundbreaking nature documentaries ever made.

From his early days working as controller of BBC 2, giving the likes of Monty Python their big break to completing his mammoth ‘Life’ series, Attenborough has earnt every bit of respect he has garnered, with more honorary degrees than any other person, a knighthood and even a few species named after him.

As one of the most respected broadcasters in TV history, his influence can be felt in every generation of naturalism, his work inspiring countless millions of people to study the natural world and to help preserve it. A rare few individuals can claim to be as beloved as Attenborough and that’s because his work is so noble and lacking in cynicism that only the most passionate of people could do it for as long as him.

Personally, I once heard him as he talked to my fiancée on the phone and he was as lovely in person as he is on TV. So that was a personal highlight of my life.

Despite his age he has continued to keep busy, working on a number of documentaries which continue to break new ground, using 3D and 4K technologies to bring wildlife to our screens in beautiful definition as well as returning to a location once visited in 1957, for ‘Great Barrier Reef’.

In February 2016, it was also announced that a sequel to Planet Earth had been commissioned with Attenborough returning to front it and it will surely be spectacular as it looks at how the Earth has developed and changed over the years since he began.

I love and respect him greatly, his charm as natural and wonderful as the world he loves so dearly and though it’s a cliche to say it, if there were more people like Sir David Attenborough in the world then maybe it would be a better place.

Happy Birthday Sir!