
Sir David Attenborough recalls almost drowning while diving
Sir David was speaking to the Prince of Wales when he was promoting his latest film, Ocean with David Attenborough.
Dramatic footage from the new film captures the destruction caused to the seabed by bottom trawling.
While talking to Prince William, Sir David put an open-circuit helmet on his head which lead to him telling the story about how he once almost drowned when he tested a scuba diving outfit in 1957, reports the Metro.
He was working and filming clips on the Great Barrier Reef when the incident happened, the newspaper explained.
'When I put mine (helmet) on for the first time, I suddenly felt water and thought, 'this can't be right'. But by the time the water got about there (pointing to under his nose) I thought, 'I'm sure this is not right',' he said.
'Of course, you've got this thing screwed on top of you and you can't breathe or make yourself heard. I was saying 'get it off me.''
He went on to say that the director wasn't convinced there was a fault with the equipment and insisted on trying it out himself.
A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)
Sir David said: 'He grabbed it and said it was fine, but I again said there was a fault, and he put it on, and I'm happy to say, he went underwater and came up even faster than I did, because there was actually a fault on the thing', he said, laughing with the Prince about his ordeal.
He talked about the destruction of the 'deep ocean floor' that has occurred since his first dive, describing it as 'just unspeakably awful'.
Sir David was one of the first people to explore the ocean.
Ocean With David Attenborough was released in cinemas to mark the renowned naturalist and TV presenter's 99th birthday and includes a sequence where the camera follows a bottom trawl, where nets are dragged with a metal beam across the seabed to catch fish.
Recommended reading:
How to watch Ocean with David Attenborough at home this week
17 fascinating facts about Sir David Attenborough's career as he turns 99
Sir David Attenborough opens up about 'the end of my life' in new documentary
As the iron chains travel across the ocean floor, they can be seen bulldozing through the habitat, stirring up silt which releases carbon and scooping up species indiscriminately.
The footage is thought to be the first time the process has been filmed in such high quality, showing the scale of destruction caused by trawling.
You can watch the new film in UK cinemas or on Disney+.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
22 minutes ago
- Metro
Strictly star Wynne Evans announces engagement months after ‘dumping' claims
Wynne Evans has admitted he is feeling 'smug' after announcing he is engaged. Earlier this year the Welsh opera singer, 53, was sensationally dumped from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour over comments he made involving host Janette Manrara. The 'unacceptable' joke referenced having a threesome with the dancer, 41. Soon after he apologised, saying he was 'deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate action caused' and would take a break from the public eye for 'self-reflection' and to 'prioritise my wellbeing'. At the time it was reported that he's been dumped by his girlfriend Liz Brookes, but it was then quickly clarified she was helping to 'rally around him'. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. A few months on, he's now revealed they are set to tie the knot. Posting a photo on Instagram of him getting down on one knee while in holiday in Morocco, Wynne shared: 'Big news… I got engaged! 💍 'This weekend in Morocco, somewhere between the couscous, the camels, and me limping around the souks like a man with no spatial awareness, I proposed to Liz — and she said yes! (No take-backs, I've checked.) 'She's clever, she's kind, she's got excellent taste in men. Absolutely no idea how I pulled that off, but here we are! Feeling very lucky, very happy, and just a tiny bit smug.' More Trending In the post, Wynne also shared a photo of their hands holding glasses of champagne, with Liz's engagement ring front and centre. Wynne and Liz are believed to have started dating last year after his divorce from his wife of 17years Tanwen Evans. View More » The former couple share two children, daughter Ismay and son Taliesin. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Jamie Borthwick suspended from EastEnders after using disabled slur during Strictly Blackpool special MORE: Strictly's Nick Knowles, 62, makes dancefloor return at wedding after shocking injuries MORE: Celebrity Race Across the World 'signs up' beloved Strictly duo


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
First look at Rachel Zegler as Eva Perón in Evita as she sings Don't Cry For Me Argentina on the London Palladium balcony
Rachel Zegler has been seen for the first time as Eva Perón in Evita on Tuesday as she performed Don't Cry For Me Argentina on the London Palladium balcony. The actress, 23, who has been engulfed in controversy since the release of Disney's ' woke ' Snow White, is set to take to the stage this weekend in Jamie Lloyd's new West End production. And giving a first glimpse at her new role, Rachel stepped out on to the balcony wearing a blonde wig, which was styled in a neat waved up-do. The American star looked incredible in a strapless white gown and wore a huge dazzling necklace. Rachel flaunted her amazing voice as she belted out Madonna 's 1996 hit while looking over the balcony as a film crew captured her performance. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Rachel is hoping her fortunes could see a career turn after Snow White like Nicole Scherzinger, who starred in director Jamie's 2023 reimagined version of Sunset Boulevard, which won her plaudits and went to Broadway. The West Side Story star will make her West End debut as Former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show, which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Rachel will take to the stage at London's Palladium from June until September 2025 in the acclaimed musical. Following the announcement earlier this year, Rachel gushed: 'Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing Don't Cry for Me Argentina together on my back patio. 'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company.' Meanwhile Jamie said: 'I am so excited to be collaborating with the brilliant Rachel Zegler on Evita. She is a phenomenal talent, and I am delighted she will be making her West End debut as the iconic Eva Perón'. An official announcement for the show read: 'Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber 's legendary Evita returns to the West End, reimagined by the visionary award-winning director Jamie Lloyd'. 'Featuring an iconic score including Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me'. Rachel showed off her amazing voice as she belted out Madonna 's 1996 hit while looking over the balcony and a film crew captured her performance from behind 'Fuelled by ambition and passion, Eva Perón rose from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America. A symbol of hope to many Argentines, her star shone brightly as she captured the nation's heart and divided its soul'. Rachel is no stranger to musical theatre and starred in Stephen Spielberg's Oscar winning adaption of West Side Story in 2021. Other famous faces to take on the iconic role Evita include Patti Lupone, Elaine Paige as well as mega Madonna in the 1996 movie version. Rachel made a barbed comment about Broadway as she shared a series of snaps in honour of the Tony Awards 2025 on Sunday. The Snow White star was snubbed for her Broadway debut in the revival of Romeo and Juliet in which she starred with Heartstopper's Kit Connor. The Snow White star was snubbed for her Broadway debut in the revival of Romeo and Juliet in which she starred with Heartstopper's Kit Connor Rachel shared a message for her fellow Broadway stars, adding that a turn on the Great White Way 'is not for the faint of heart'. 'I have the most respect for the people being honoured tonight – doing anything, especially a 2-3 hour marathon such as a Broadway musical or play,' Rachel began. 'It is not for the faint of heart, we are athletes in our own right and tonight is truly a celebration of all the hard work – both on stage and off – that goes on in these iconic spaces.' She added, 'I love my job so d**n much.'


Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Cast of beloved 70s drama claim one episode 'would not happen today'
The cast of Little House on the Prairie have unpacked a wild episode of the beloved show, insisting it wouldn't see the light of day today. The drama ran for nine seasons between 1974 and 1983, and focused on the Ingalls family living in Walnut Grove in Minnesota at the end of the 1800s. Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, Karl Swenson, Richard Bull and Karen Grassle made up the cast, while stars Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler teamed up with Pamela Bob to start a podcast looking back on their experiences ahead of the upcoming Netflix reboot. Appearing on the latest episode of Little House 50, they reflected on season four episode Here Comes the Brides, which aired on December 5, 1977 – it followed Adam Simms (Joshua Bryant) and his 'shoeless' son Luke (Bob Marsic) moving to town and causing a stir with locals. While Adam made a beeline for Eva Beadle (Charlotte Stewart), Luke quickly fell in love with Nellie (Alison) – with the youngsters running away to tie the knot. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Their marriage didn't last long and was very quickly annulled, but that wasn't the only ceremony to shock locals, as Eva and Adam also went on to get married. Lifting the lid on the instalment, Alison declared: 'I love this episode so much … It's just a display of adolescent rebellion, pouting and smoking, massive hormonal love… it really is Romeo and Juliet just gone berserk. 'The hormones go wild, it's just crazy.' 'I am 15 in this episode,' she clarified, branding it 'one of her favorite' episodes. 'It aired in December so we shot it a few months before. I would have just turned 15 in January. 'So I was 15 probably in a few months when we shot this. 'I was super super super puberty, teenage insanity happening. It was hilarious. So, it was so perfect. The first time she rebels against her mom, the first time she falls in love…' However, while the actress was 15 during filming, she shared that her character was two years younger. 'I'm sorry, I'm 15 so she's just barely 13,' she continued. 'This cat is playing, I guess, 16, 17? He's 27 years old. He was late 20s, definitely older than 25.' Alison later corrected herself and explained that Bob was 22 at the time. She joked of the fictional Walnut Grove natives: 'We're children, teenagers… We're not just like, 'Gee, he's cute! Hi there'. We're like, '[Forcefully] Hi, what are you doing later?' 'There young girls, these children, accosting a grown man who they have not been introduced to…' Pamela agreed that there was no 'swag or subtlety', quipping: 'It's straight in for the kill. 'There is no swag on the prairie. No one's got game on the prairie. 'That would not happen today, right? Casting a full-grown adult to play or even kiss – and it was an innocent kiss, but it's a kiss – a minor.' Alison added that, if those scenes were being filmed now, there would be intimacy coordinators on set to help ensure that everyone involved was safe and comfortable. The actress recently left fans devastated when she confirmed that she would not be popping up on the Little House on the Prairie reboot currently in the works at Netflix. Bosses teased that they would offer a 'fresh take on the iconic story', with Rebecca Sonnershine leading the was as showrunner and executive producer. More Trending Alison, who played Nellie Oleson from 1974 to 1982, later shared that her original castmates would be taking a back seat. 'None of us, as far as I know, our gang, are in at this point,' she told ReMIND, adding: 'I have been joking for years that I'm finally old enough to play Mrs. Oleson, so call me! View More » 'This [show] is part of the Laura Ingalls Wilder multiverse. So concerns that they're going to run amok away from the books and make it into something weird – not happening.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Fiona Harvey says she's going blind during 'stress' of Baby Reindeer lawsuit MORE: Netflix fans counting down for Lena Dunham's TV return with raunchy rom-com MORE: South Korean gangster drama hailed 'best revenge series' soars up Netflix chart