David Attenborough is being celebrated by fans, including some celebrities, for his 99th birthday today, with tributes having been paid following the launch of his new film Ocean
Celebrities are among those who have paid tribute to David Attenborough for his 99th birthday. The broadcaster, who has received acclaim over the course of his decades-long career, is being celebrated this week.
David, who turns 99 today, is being celebrated by fans amid the special occasion. It comes following the release of the natural historian’s new film Ocean, which explores how the Earth’s “vast, interconnected waterways can be restored”. He’s said to be campaigning for change over industrial fishing.
Lorraine Kelly, 65, is among those who have paid tribute to the biologist for his birthday. The ITV presenter – who is recovering from surgery at the moment – took to Instagram with a photo of David sat beside her in a TV studio.
She wrote in the accompanying caption: “Happy 99th birthday Sir David – a giant of a man. The best of us. Total legend. I’m honoured to have met you.” Lorraine included a series of hashtags, including teasing that he is a “hero” in one of them.
BBC journalist Amol Rajan, 41, also marked the occasion on the platform. The University Challenge host shared photos of David – whose work includes the Life series – and described him as the “greatest living Briton” in the caption.
Amol wrote yesterday: “In a few hours time, David Attenborough will be 99. Aside from being the greatest living Briton, the best broadcaster of all time, the most influential advocate for Nature ever, and the most mesmerising voice of them all, the boy from Leicester – who celebrated his 19th birthday on VE Day – has done more for public understanding of Science than anyone since Charles Darwin.
“Cherish him! Savour the fact that you share this precious blue marble, dangling in the infinite darkness, with someone who has fought so hard and so long to preserve it. Grief teaches us many lessons; one of the most vital is that you must not wait until it’s too late before registering your gratitude or servicing your moral debts. I have written to Sir David to say thank you, though we have met only once and briefly. What an astonishing man; what an inspirational life. And by his own account, he’s certainly not done yet.”
Amol has since posted on David’s birthday itself. He wrote on his Instagram Story earlier: “Happy 99th birthday, Sir David Attenborough.” Referencing the BBC’s mission, he added: “Long may you inform, educate and entertain us.”
The BBC itself has celebrated David’s birthday, which promoting his work with the broadcaster. It said in a post on Facebook: “Happy 99th birthday, Sir David Attenborough! There’s no one else like you.”
The RSPB wrote on Instagram: “Here’s to a man who has dedicated his life to conserving and understanding our natural world, and educating us all in the process. Sir David, thank you for your decades of devotion to our planet’s wonders and wildlife.”
Prince William, 42, issued a message over the occasion too. A post signed off by him read: “As he turns 99 today, in his new film, Sir David has once again reminded us of the need to protect natural habitats – this time those beneath the ocean. He has dedicated his life to ensuring we understand the realities of what mankind is doing to the planet. However hard hitting his message is, Sir David always leaves us with a sense of hope and optimism that all is not lost and this film is no different. We must act together, with urgency, to restore our oceans. Happy Birthday, David. W.”
A number of celebrities paid tribute in a piece for the Guardian, in which 99 people to share how he has inspired them. Among them was actor Kate Winslet, 49, who said: “[David] remains, for me, an integral part of how things used to be.”
She added: “Our more plentiful oceans, our verdant, bulging rainforests, full of species that thrived before their natural habitats came under such serious threat. […] In a declining world when we desperately need compassionate anchors, David is that anchor for so many, showing us depths and beauty that won’t be with us forever, forming a picture for future generations of just how vital it is to stay educated, to stay curious.”
Source: Mirror
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