Sir David Attenborough marks Natural History Unit 60th at Edinburgh TV Festival
The nation’s favourite nature presenter will discuss some of the most ground-breaking moments in the BBC department’s history.
Sir David Attenborough will join the line-up for this year’s Edinburgh International TV Festival as he celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Natural History Unit (NHU).
The BBC department produced hit documentaries Planet Earth II and Blue Planet – both narrated by Sir David – as well as long-running documentary series Natural World and Spring, Autumn and Winterwatch.
The nature expert, 91, will join the department’s head Julian Hector as the pair discuss some of the most ground-breaking moments throughout the unit’s 60 years, as well as the positive impact it has had on our understanding of the environment.
Sir David said: “I’m delighted to be at the Edinburgh TV Festival to recall the history of what was the first Natural History Unit to be set up in the world and to celebrate some of its milestones.”
Hector added: “I grew up with The Living World presented by Peter France on Radio 4 and was studying zoology at university by the time Sir David’s Life On Earth was first broadcast in 1979 on BBC 1.
“The NHU has been part of my life ever since, and I look forward to sharing with the TV Festival all of the astonishing work that goes on behind the scenes to make these incredible series.”
Most recently, he lent his charismatic voice to the second series of Planet Earth, which won a Bafta earlier this year for best specialist factual programme.
His appearance at the festival will mark a special moment for visiting fans, not least the event’s own director Lisa Campbell.
“It’s long been an ambition of mine to welcome Sir David to the festival and I have no doubt that this will be a remarkable and historic session,” she said.
:: The Edinburgh International Television Festival runs from August 23-25.
