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The iconic nature documentary presenter will receive a week-long celebration of his life and work to mark his milestone birthday


David Attenborough will have his 100th birthday celebrated in a big way with three new shows, the BBC has announced.

The iconic presenter's birthday on Friday, 8 May will be marked in a special way by the broadcaster with a week-long programming lineup. This will feature new and old shows featuring the presenter that will mark the “extraordinary milestone”.

As well as reruns of his past work, one of the new programmes is Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure. The show will go behind the scenes of the landmark BBC One series which was first broadcast in 1979 and followed Attenborough as he travelled to 40 countries to film 600 species.

Featuring new interviews of the wildlife broadcaster and the original production team as they reflect on the making of Life on Earth, and the challenges they faced along the way.

This famously included a coup in the Comoros, being shot at, and even Attenborough’s encounter with gorillas in Rwanda.


Another new series is Secret Garden, which will see Attenborough reflect on the hidden worlds within Britain’s gardens. Told over five episodes, the show will examine the rich diversity of life in Britain’s back gardens, aiming to capture its beauty while revealing how the public can do their bit to save struggling species.

David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth will also feature the presenter, it is a live event streamed from the Royal Albert Hall. Attenborough will appear alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra and a number of special guests.

The week of 8 May will also see the BBC air special episodes of Attenborough’s most-loved series, including Planet Earth II, Seven Worlds, One Planet, Blue Planet II, Planet Earth III, Frozen Planet II, and his most recent film, Wild London. And over on BBC iPlayer there will be a dedicated collection of 40 of Attenborough’s most-loved programmes to enjoy.

Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for specialist factual at the BBC, said: “It’s impossible to overstate what Sir David Attenborough has given us.

“His programmes have not only defined science and natural history broadcasting, but they have also changed how we see our planet and our place within it. This special week is a celebration of an extraordinary milestone and of a body of work that continues to inspire awe, curiosity and care for the natural world.


“It’s also a moment for all of us at the BBC to say thank you to David — for his generosity, for his brilliance and for a lifetime spent bringing the wonders of nature into our homes.”

BBC's David Attenborough celebration begins on Monday, 4 May.