David Attenborough's 'secret superpower' celebrated on 100th birthday

As Sir David Attenborough turns 100, celebrating more than 70 years presenting world-leading natural history programmes, BBC producers and friends who have worked alongside him say there is simply "no-one quite like him".

From Blue Planet to Life on Earth, those behind some of the BBC's most iconic wildlife series describe what many call the "Attenborough effect" – a unique combination of curiosity, authority and humility that continues to inspire audiences around the world.

The landmark series Sir David works on often take three or four years to complete, with his involvement stretching far beyond narration.

Executive producer Mike Gunton, who has worked with Sir David for decades at the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol, said his energy has remained unchanged.

"I think that is his secret superpower. That sort of intellectual energy and physical energy is remarkable," Gunton added.

Elizabeth White, who worked with him on Blue Planet II in Bristol, collaborated closely with Sir David on the script.

She describes him as a phenomenal writer and narrator.

"When he reads that script out for the final commentary record, it takes on its own unique Attenborough specialness.

"There's nobody quite like him. The way he reads, the way he writes, it's just incredible," White said.

Toby Nowlan, a filmmaker from Frome, Somerset, worked with Attenborough on several projects over 17 years, including his documentary Ocean in 2025.

"He's the natural world's greatest storyteller to ever walk the earth," Nowlan said.

"He's the reason I got into this industry – I wrote him a letter when I was nine years old and he wrote back a lovely handwritten letter."

Sir David has also become famous for raising awareness about climate change.

His warning about plastic pollution in the ocean sparked widespread public reaction, with the social media message Do It for David gaining traction worldwide.

Despite this influence, Elizabeth White says Sir David remains characteristically modest, always crediting the production team rather than himself.

She recalls meeting him during the first Blue Planet series, when she was a PhD student on work experience.

She remembers being "the least important person in the room", yet Sir David approached her and showed genuine interest in her studies.

"That really stuck with me. You know, he didn't need to ask, but he did," she added.

Gunton has worked with Sir David since the late 1980s, when they collaborated on Trials of Life.

"If you get to work with him, you know you're going to be working on a winner," he says.

When they first met, Sir David was in his 60s and Mike in his 20s.

Decades later, Attenborough's energy remains unchanged, Gunton added.

Even into his 90s, Sir David's passion for the natural world has not diminished.

At the age of 96, Gunton accompanied him on a filming trip to Finland.

"It was -3C (26.6F). We were all in the full gear and everything.

"And I said, 'just take it easy'. Next thing you find, he's out there with the sound recorders, picking up the bags.

"And I said, 'no, stop'. But that is him – he loves to be part of the team," Gunton added.

Those who work with Sir David are often asked what he is like behind the scenes.

Gunton says the answer is reassuringly simple.

"He is the perfect gentleman, the perfect companion. He's funny, he's kind, entertaining. He is just like you would hope he would be," he added.

As Sir David celebrates his 100th birthday on Friday, colleagues say his curiosity, kindness and commitment remain undimmed – a rare constant in a fast‑changing world, and one that continues to shape how millions see the planet.

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