Sir David Attenborough: 17 fascinating facts about career

Glasgow Times

08-05-2025

Dubbed a 'national treasure' by many, the broadcaster and naturalist has travelled the world filming documentaries about the Earth and the lives of creatures that inhabit it.
While you might get stuck into Planet Earth, there are probably a few facts you don't know about Sir David, so to help you out, here are some fascinating facts about him.
Sir David Attenborough has presented many shows (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
17 fascinating facts about Sir David Attenborough
Sir David has enjoyed a long and successful career in the media.
National Geographic Kids and Beano have previously shared some interesting facts about him – let's take a look.
Sir David Attenborough was born in 1926 – the same year as the late Queen Elizabeth II.
At 11 years old, he started selling newts to University College, Leicester for 3d (three pence) each. He found them in a pond near the zoology department at the university.
He studied Natural Sciences at Clare College in Cambridge and graduated in 1947.
After graduating, Sir David served two years of National Service in the Royal Navy.
When Sir David applied for his first role at the BBC (radio talk producer), he was rejected.
When he joined BBC Television as a trainee, he didn't own a TV.
His first programme was called Coelacanth, and it was about the rediscovery of the coelacanth, which is a prehistoric fish.
Sir David had a few jobs, including being in the Royal Navy, working as a director, TV presenter, narrator and author. He is also the creator of award-winning programmes and books.
He also received two Guinness World Records – one for having the longest career as a TV naturalist and another for having the longest career as a TV presenter.
Queen Elizabeth II knighted Attenborough in 1985 for his services to broadcasting, making him a Sir. In 2020, aged 94, he was knighted by the Queen again and was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, which recognised his services to TV broadcasting and conservation.
Nearly 20 plants have been named after Sir David by scientists and a type of dinosaur is called Attenborosaurus.
Sir David has never driven as he has never passed a driving test.
It was Sir David's idea to broadcast snooker on TV when new technology meant that shows could be broadcast in colour, instead of black and white.
He is the only person to have won Baftas for shows that were broadcast in black and white, colour, HD and 3D.
Recommended reading:
He is scared of rats.
Sir David Attenborough was stabbed by a cactus with needles like glass while filming The Green Planet on BBC One. He wore protective gear while investigating the cholla cactus in California but the combination of a Kevlar under-glove and a welding glove failed to prevent him from being hurt by 'spicules of glass' while reaching inside the plant.
He explored the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.