Sir David Attenborough Facts

Facts about everyone's favourite wildlife presenter and animal expert, Sir David Attenborough.

Sir David Attenborough

During Sir David Attenborough’s sixty year career he has made the most influential and well-known natural history programmes. So below are a few Attenborough facts that every fan should know!

Sir David Attenborough riding on the Vomit Comet to experience weightlessness

Sir David Attenborough riding on the Vomit Comet to experience weightlessness

  • After completing his degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge University Sir David’s first job was in the Navy for two years from 1947.
  • When Sir David accepted the offer of his first job at the BBC in 1952 he like most Britons, didn’t own a television and had only ever watched one TV programme.
  • He was Controller of BBC2 (1965-68), during which time he introduced colour television to Britain and commissioned an eclectic mix of programming, including Monty Python.
  • Sir David has said he doesn't love animals but is fascinated by them. However, he admits the only creatures he hates are rats.
  • Sir David Attenborough is believed to be one of the most travelled men in history. In order to film the Life of Birds series he had to travel over 256,000 miles. This is equivalent to going around the world 10 times!
  • In 1985 Sir David received his knighthood. He was previously honoured with a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 1974.
  • Sir David is the only person to have won a BAFTA in black and white, colour, HD and 3D.

Find Out More

Sir David Attenborough celebrated his 60th year in broadcasting in 2012 and continues to work on a number of television, film and radio projects.

Sir David's latest work includes two fantastic series of David Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities, made exclusively for Eden and Watch, in which we explore some of the animals and their adaptations that intrigue him the most. We're very lucky!

Any other facts about Sir David that you want to add? Post them in the comments below...