BBC favourite Sir David Attenborough to present Planet Earth III at age 97

28 August 2023 , 18:19

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Sir David Attenborough will be doing another Planet Earth, the Mirror has learned (Image: BBC/Sarah Dunn)

Sir David Attenborough has been confirmed as the presenter of Planet Earth III at the age of 97, the Mirror can reveal.

The veteran broadcaster has started filming his introductory scenes and recording the narration of the much-anticipated landmark wildlife series, due to air on BBC1 in the autumn. BBC bosses are thrilled that Sir David will remain with the hit show, having first fronted the original Planet Earth in 2006 and its sequel a decade later.

Planet Earth III was commissioned in 2019 and has been nearly five years in the making, having been delayed by the pandemic. Executive producer Mike Gunton said: “Planet Earth wouldn’t be Planet Earth without David, so I’m delighted he is presenting the third series. As ever, he has brought his huge enthusiasm and wisdom, has been encouraging about our new perspective and has, I know, really enjoyed seeing the extraordinary new wonders brought to the screen.

“The opening of the series with David was filmed in the beautiful British countryside in exactly the location where Charles Darwin used to walk whilst thinking over his Earth-shaking ideas about evolution. It seemed the perfect place for David to introduce Planet Earth III and remind us of both the wonders and the fragility of our planet.”

He said Attenborough had even managed to provide great weather for his first filming day. “For him, of course, the sun shone under blue skies …one of the only days it did all summer!”

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The eight-part series comes after 2016’s Planet Earth II won a Bafta for its extraordinary scenes showing snakes chasing a young iguana, filmed in the Galapagos islands. The new series will contain seven episodes showcasing astonishing footage of animal behaviour from around the globe, including some that have never been seen before. The eighth and final episode will be to celebrate the human “heroes” who dedicate their lives to trying to save certain species.

The scores of creatures featured include African Jacana birds, tropical Mobula rays and the cream-coloured spirit bear of Canada. The aim of the landmark series is to highlight the incredible strategies animals have developed throughout evolution and also to reveal the new challenges they face in the crowded modern world.

Nicola Methven