David Attenborough

Early years
David was born into a well-off family with two brothers, John and Richard. During World War II, his parents took in two Jewish girls who had fled the Nazis and they were treated like family. Richard, of course, went on to great success as an actor and film-maker.

Setting out
After school, David joined the Royal Navy, hoping to see the world. Unfortunately, he didn't get far. He was posted to an aircraft carrier in the Firth of Forth. After three years he left and went into publishing.

Taking control
David joined the BBC in 1952. At the BBC he made the successful 'Zoo Quest' series, and by 1965 he was elevated to the post of Controller of BBC2, where he oversaw the introduction of colour TV to Britain. A few years later, he was made Director of Programmes for BBC1 and 2.

Wild world
David returned to his first love of programme-making in 1973. Several successful years of making natural history programmes peaked with his series 'Life on Earth'. At the time the most ambitious series the BBC had produced.

Working process
David begins any series with an outline of the questions he wants to ask and answer. This is followed by a dialogue over many months with the researchers and producers. Once a massive file of notes has been accumulated, only then does David begin his travels.

The write stuff
David writes all his own scripts. His talent as a writer is often overlooked, but he won a major literary prize in Britain for the book of 'The Life of Birds', even before the series itself had been screened.

One of the crew
The great presenter is no primadonna and travels economy class with his film crew. If airline staff realise he's on board and offer to upgrade him, his invariable answer is: 'only if my crew can come too'. David has said: 'People assume I do all the work. I keep having to tell them, it was the cameraman, not me'.

Daring David
Quite apart from the extensive travel to often dangerous regions, David is willing take risks for his shows. He let himself be attacked by military ants in Africa and once abseiled down a rainforest tree his late 60s. In fact the plucky presenter has only two aversions: rats, and anywhere (like dark caves) where there might be rats.