David Attenborough to be honoured with live BBC special celebrating 100th birthday
The BBC will mark Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday with a special programme marking a century of exploration and discovery.
Sir David Attenborough will be honoured with a 90 minute BBC special celebrating his 100th birthday.
On May 8, viewers on BBC One and iPlayer will be treated to a live event called David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth, marking a century of exploration and discovery in the natural world, which will be broadcast from London's Royal Albert Hall.
Kirsty Young said: “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.”
The evening will feature "some of the most memorable wildlife moments from the BBC’s natural history archive", plus live music by the BBC Concert Orchestra from Sir David's "most iconic television series" like Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and Blue Planet, as well as "reflections from public figures and leading voices in conservation and wildlife filmmaking".
The BBC added: "As the celebrations unfold, Kirsty will be joined on stage by those who have worked with David and been inspired by his work over the years, including broadcasters Liz Bonnin, Steve Backshall, Chris Packham, and Michael Palin, who will reflect on the impact of David’s work, the legacy he continues to shape and his unique ability to bring the wonders of the natural world into people’s homes."
Meanwhile, the likes of Bastille's Dan Smith, Icelandic band Sigur Ros, Sienna Spiro and harpist Francisco Yglesias will also be performing.
The BBC said: "Bringing together breathtaking wildlife imagery, live orchestral and contemporary music, and contributions from those who have worked alongside David throughout his career and those who feel passionately about the natural world, the programme celebrates not only a broadcasting legend, but a century long relationship between audiences and nature."
The event is being jointly staged and produced by BBC Studios Music Productions and Natural History Unit in partnership with The Open University.
Earlier this month, veteran broadcaster Sir David returned with new series Secret Garden, which has explored the incredible wildlife in gardens across the UK.
David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth will air on Sir David's birthday, May 8, at 8:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
