Broadcaster and conservationist Sir David Attenborough is officially 100 years old – yet another thing he can add to his seemingly endless list of achievements.
The Planet Earth presenter, who has been a British TV staple for 75 years, celebrated becoming a centenarian with a live event on BBC One tonight, with a host of stars stopping by to deliver birthday messages to the man who put nature documentaries on the map.
From his memorable gorilla encounter to meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II and taking to the Glastonbury stage, the live show looked back on Sir David’s career-making scenes with special performances from Bastille’s Dan Smith, Icelandic band Sigur Rós, and British singer Sienna Spiro.
Here’s a look back on some of the most emotional moments from the night.
Key Points
- Who'll be performing at 'David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth'?
- Prince William leads birthday tributes to 'inspirational' Sir David
- Sir David Attenborough receives a standing ovation
- The King sends a birthday message to Sir David – via the scenic route
- Sir Michael Palin brings Mount Everest to Sir David
- Dame Judi Dench, Olivia Colman and Paddington send birthday wishes
- Prince William delivers moving speech: 'Your friendship has been profound'
- Sir David was working just days before his 100th birthday on 'Planet Earth 3'
- Sir David Attenborough delivers the final words of his birthday special
When will 'Blue Planet III' air?
00:00 , Lauren MorrisIt may have been Sir David’s birthday, but he was the one delivering gifts – with the BBC announcing that ‘Blue Planet’ is to return for a third series.
The nature documentary, which aired for the first time 25 years ago, will be back on our screens later this year with Sir David narrating once again.
Viewers praise 'emotional' birthday special
23:20 , Lauren MorrisSir David’s fans have taken to social media to applaud the broadcaster’s birthday special, with many brought to tears by the celebration.
“Wonderful programme celebrating Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday, on BBC1,” one wrote. “It made me really emotional watching it. Added surprise appearance from Benedict Cumberbatch. Truly Sir David Attenborough is the best of us. #DavidAttenborough100”
Another said: “Just finished watching the birthday tribute to Sir David Attenborough. It was a beautiful, lovely, and very emotional hour and a half. Happy birthday Sir David x”
Leonardo DiCaprio makes a surprise cameo
22:50 , Lauren MorrisHollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio sent Sir David Attenborough a birthday video message to the British broadcaster.
“Thank you truly for everything you’ve done and continue to do for our very precious planet and all of its inhabitants,” said DiCaprio, who, despite having seemingly blurred his background, still looked as though he was filming his clip from a dentist’s office.
“Happy 100th birthday.”
The Oscar-winning actor is also a keen environmentalist, having produced Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret and campaigned for environmental awareness.
Sir David Attenborough delivers the final performance of the night
22:08 , Lauren MorrisSir David Attenborough brought his own birthday celebrations to a close with a pre-recorded segment of him reading the lyrics to Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” – a truly fitting number to end on.
“Quite simply, wonderful,” he says over footage of iconic shots from his career.
The Royal Albert Hall sing 'Happy Birthday' to Sir David Attenborough
22:02 , Lauren MorrisTo finish off the 90-minute celebration, Kirsty Young led the audience of the Royal Albert Hall in a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to Sir David Attenborough.
I’m not crying, you are...
Sir David was working just days before his 100th birthday on 'Planet Earth 3'
21:58 , Lauren MorrisSir David Attenborough may be 100 but he’s still not ready to retire – with the broadcaster narrating scenes from the forthcoming ‘Planet Earth 3’. The man is a voiceover machine!
Prince William delivers moving speech: 'Your friendship has been profound'
21:54 , Lauren MorrisPrince William has delivered a speech as the live special comes to an end, thanking Sir David Attenborough for his friendship.
“For me personally, your friendship has been profound. You have strengthened my own determination to act, to work with those who are raising awareness of the challenges and building the solutions that drive meaningful change,” he said.
“Thank you for your wisdom, your kindness, your dedication and for reminding us always of the wonder of the world we call home.”
Dame Judi Dench, Olivia Colman and Paddington send birthday wishes
21:44 , Lauren MorrisA number of Sir David’s celebrity fans sent their birthday messages via video tonight, from Dame Judi Dench and Paddington to Coldway’s Chris Martin doing his best impression of the broadcaster.
Opening the video montage, Dame Judi – who’s only nine years off of 100 herself – said: “Sir David, happy birthday and how lucky we are to be able to get this opportunity to thank you for all the things that you’ve told us and taught us – tortoise is a rather good word.”
She was joined by Olivia Colman, Kate Winslet, Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis, Ben Fogle and Chris Martin. While singer Raye told Sir David that his voice “is a gift to this earth” – get him on a track asap!
Paddington Bear (described as an “explorer” by the BBC) also got in on the action, thanking Sir David on behalf of all bears everywhere.
Sir Michael Palin brings Mount Everest to Sir David
21:26 , Lauren MorrisThe delightful Sir Michael Palin took to the stage to talk about getting competitive with Sir David Attenborough – before presenting the birthday broadcaster with a chunk of Mount Everest (the one place Sir David has never made it to) dating back to 1926, the year he was born.
Unfortunately, Kirsty Young broke the news that the slab of mountain had to return to the Natural History Museum, with it having popped out for the night.
New sleep paralysis demon just dropped
21:18 , Lauren MorrisIf you’ve ever wondered what Benedict Cumberbatch looked like in infrared vision, now you don’t have to – as he’ll also be haunting your nightmares thanks to the BBC.
TV presenter Anna Demetriou was showing off some of the latest camera technology, which detects heat and is used by cameramen to film animals at night, when she took the opportunity to find Benedict Cumberbatch in the crowd.
“You look quite hot,” she said. Steady on, Anna – his wife is right there!
The King sends a birthday message to Sir David – via the scenic route
21:04 , Lauren MorrisWhile everyone turning 100 receives a handwritten letter from the King, Sir David Attenborough obviously didn’t get your bog-standard centenarian treatment.
In a VT, viewers watched as King Charles III sent his “warmest congratulations” to the broadcaster, writing: “It is amazing to think that you and I have known one another for more than 60 years. Indeed, I believe we first met in 1958, almost a decade before the age of colour television.”
“Over those decades, you have revealed a beauty and wonders of nature to audiences around the world in new and marvellous ways. In so doing, you have shared my determination to highlight the urgent need to protect and preserve this precious planet and all life on earth for future generations.”
The letter was then delivered across the country (technically from central London to Richmond) by dog, eagle, porcupine, swan, duck, fox, owl and deer among other animals in a twee twist. Royal Mail, you had one job!
Bastille's Dan Smith takes us back to 2013
20:53 , Lauren MorrisDan Smith from pop band Bastille (remember them?) takes to the stage for the first performance of the night with his orchestral rendition of “Pompeii” – arguably the most overplayed song of 2013.
The hit song featured on the soundtrack of Planet Earth III ten years after its release.
Sir David Attenborough receives a standing ovation
20:41 , Lauren MorrisSir David Attenborough receives a well earned standing ovation and takes a bow from his box in the Royal Albert Hall – with the centenarian seen sitting next to Prince William at the live event.
While the BBC had not previously confirmed whether the broadcaster would be attending his own birthday bash, it simply wouldn’t be a fitting celebration without the man himself!
The show gets off to a (slightly terrifying) start
20:37 , Lauren MorrisIf you can’t bring wild animals to the Royal Albert Hall, then you get the next best thing – which is apparently these somewhat unnerving puppet animals.
Kirsty Young kicked off the live broadcast from outside the venue alongside gorilla and ram life-size puppets, created by The Herds.
As impressive as they are, I’ll stick to the living versions.
From Benedict Cumberbatch to Gillian Anderson: the stars show up for Sir David's birthday
20:04 , Lauren MorrisForget the Bafta red carpet – Sir David Attenborough’s birthday bash is the place to be this weekend, with the stars showing out in force at the Royal Albert Hall.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Gillian Anderson have been pictured heading into the event, while Strictly’s Tasha Ghouri and Radio 1 presenter Greg James are also attending.
Sir David’s nephew Michael Attenborough, presenter Ade Adepitan, Springwatch’s Chris Packham and broadcaster Muriel Gray have also appeared on the red carpet.
What time does David Attenborough's birthday bash?
19:40 , Lauren MorrisThere’s not long to go until Sir David Attenborough’s live BBC birthday kicks off – with the big event due to start at 8:30pm on BBC One.
Those staying in to celebrate from their living rooms can expect appearances from Sir Michael Palin, Steve Backshall and Chris Packham among other broadcasters.
Sir David would rather 'be at home all day' than go to live birthday party
19:20 , Lauren MorrisThe BBC may be holding a live birthday bash for Sir David, but his colleague has revealed that he would probably prefer to stay home with a glass of wine (relatable!)
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Planet Earth producer Alastair Fothergill said that Sir David “hates celebrity”.
“David would love nothing to be happening around his 100th birthday. That would be his favourite choice,” he said. “He would like to be at home all day, nice glass of wine in the evening. However, he recognises that the British public want to say happy birthday to him and I think he’ll go home happy.”
I’m not too sure Sir David will get away with giving this party a miss!
Prince William leads birthday tributes to 'inspirational' Sir David
19:00 , Lauren MorrisPrince William was one of the first to publicly wish Sir David Attenborough a happy birthday, saying in a video posted to the Earthshot Prize X account: “Happy 100th David. I cannot believe it’s your 100th birthday. Thank you so much for all your support with Earthshot Prize.
“Everything you do continues to inspire me,” he added. “Have a very happy day.”
Sir David Attenborough's must-watch moments
18:30 , Lauren MorrisWith a TV career spanning 75 years, Sir David has created a number of ground-breaking moments on our screens – whether he’s witnessing a giant leatherback turtle lay her eggs, playing with a sloth in the jungle or being jumped on by a baby gorilla in Rwanda.
You can take a look at some of the presenter’s famous TV moments here.
Who'll be performing at 'David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth'?
18:00 , Lauren MorrisSir David’s star-studded birthday bash will see performances from artists who’ve featured in the presenter’s many documentaries – with Bastille’s Dan Smith giving a rendition of his hit “Pompeii” and singer Sienna Spiro also taking to the stage.
Icelandic band Sigur Rós will be performing their spine-tingling track “Hoppipolla”, which has become the anthem to Sir David’s Planet Earth and his nature programming in general.