Chris Packham has hailed Sir David Attenborough as “the most influential advocate for life our little blue planet has ever had”, ahead of his 100th birthday.
The naturalist and broadcaster will celebrate his centenary in May, and the occasion will be marked by a star-studded tribute led by Kirsty Young at the Royal Albert Hall, which will air on BBC One.
Discussing his legacy, broadcaster Packham described Sir David as “a man whose passion and enthusiasm for life, and an infectious desire to communicate that to us all, has grown to command a global audience and enrapture young and old alike”.
He said: “One hundred years ago there was a new life on earth … as it’s turned out, that precious infant has grown into the most influential advocate for life our little blue planet has ever had – David Frederick Attenborough.”
Presenter Steve Backshall said the conservationist is “like a favourite uncle, always there providing sumptuous stories and an endless insight into the natural world.”
He added: “While renowned as a great naturalist, his finest ability is as a storyteller – he can hold us spellbound.”
Packham and Backshall will be among the famous faces on stage at the birthday celebration, along with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Also paying tribute will be broadcaster Liz Bonnin, who told the Radio Times: “Oh, he is going to hate all of the attention.
“He will not be comfortable with all the love and the gushing because he is just so modest.”
Bonnin also reflected on an anecdote Sir David shared with her during an online interview in 20021, in which he told her he was “appalled” to have killed a caiman during filming for a TV series around 70 years ago.
Speaking to her five years ago, he revealed he was asked to take a shot when he was travelling through Guyana in South America in the mid-1950s for his BBC series Zoo Quest.
Sir David told Bonnin that he was “appalled” by what he had done, adding: “It was the first and last time I shot anything.”
Reflecting on the story, Bonnin: “For it to have stayed with him says a lot about who he is”.
Radio Times is on sale now.
