Broadcaster and conservationist Sir David Attenborough is officially 100 years old – yet another thing he can add to his seemingly endless list of achievements.
The Planet Earth presenter, who has been a British TV staple for 75 years, celebrated becoming a centenarian with a live event on BBC One tonight, with a host of stars stopping by to deliver birthday messages to the man who put nature documentaries on the map.
From his memorable gorilla encounter to meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II and taking to the Glastonbury stage, the live show looked back on Sir David’s career-making scenes with special performances from Bastille’s Dan Smith, Icelandic band Sigur Rós, and British singer Sienna Spiro.
Here’s a look back on some of the most emotional moments from the night.
When will ‘Blue Planet III’ air?
It may have been Sir David’s birthday, but he was the one delivering gifts – with the BBC announcing that ‘Blue Planet’ is to return for a third series.
The nature documentary, which aired for the first time 25 years ago, will be back on our screens later this year with Sir David narrating once again.
Viewers praise ’emotional’ birthday special
Sir David’s fans have taken to social media to applaud the broadcaster’s birthday special, with many brought to tears by the celebration.
“Wonderful programme celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, on BBC1,” one wrote. “It made me really emotional watching it. Added surprise appearance from Benedict Cumberbatch. Truly Sir David Attenborough is the best of us. #DavidAttenborough100”
Another said: “Just finished watching the birthday tribute to Sir David Attenborough. It was a beautiful, lovely, and very emotional hour and a half. Happy birthday Sir David x”
Leonardo DiCaprio makes a surprise cameo
Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio sent Sir David Attenborough a birthday video message to the British broadcaster.
“Thank you truly for everything you’ve done and continue to do for our very precious planet and all of its inhabitants,” said DiCaprio, who, despite having seemingly blurred his background, still looked as though he was filming his clip from a dentist’s office.
“Happy 100th birthday.”
The Oscar-winning actor is also a keen environmentalist, having produced Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret and campaigned for environmental awareness.
Sir David Attenborough delivers the final performance of the night
Sir David Attenborough brought his own birthday celebrations to a close with a pre-recorded segment of him reading the lyrics to Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” – a truly fitting number to end on.
“Quite simply, wonderful,” he says over footage of iconic shots from his career.
The Royal Albert Hall sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Sir David Attenborough
To finish off the 90-minute celebration, Kirsty Young led the audience of the Royal Albert Hall in a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ to Sir David Attenborough.
I’m not crying, you are…
Sir David was working just days before his 100th birthday on ‘Planet Earth 3’
Sir David Attenborough may be 100 but he’s still not ready to retire – with the broadcaster narrating scenes from the forthcoming ‘Planet Earth 3’. The man is a voiceover machine!
Prince William delivers moving speech: ‘Your friendship has been profound’
Prince William has delivered a speech as the live special comes to an end, thanking Sir David Attenborough for his friendship.
“For me personally, your friendship has been profound. You have strengthened my own determination to act, to work with those who are raising awareness of the challenges and building the solutions that drive meaningful change,” he said.
“Thank you for your wisdom, your kindness, your dedication and for reminding us always of the wonder of the world we call home.”
Dame Judi Dench, Olivia Colman and Paddington send birthday wishes
A number of Sir David’s celebrity fans sent their birthday messages via video tonight, from Dame Judi Dench and Paddington to Coldway’s Chris Martin doing his best impression of the broadcaster.
Opening the video montage, Dame Judi – who’s only nine years off of 100 herself – said: “Sir David, happy birthday and how lucky we are to be able to get this opportunity to thank you for all the things that you’ve told us and taught us – tortoise is a rather good word.”
She was joined by Olivia Colman, Kate Winslet, Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis, Ben Fogle and Chris Martin. While singer Raye told Sir David that his voice “is a gift to this earth” – get him on a track asap!
Paddington Bear (described as an “explorer” by the BBC) also got in on the action, thanking Sir David on behalf of all bears everywhere.
Sir Michael Palin brings Mount Everest to Sir David
The delightful Sir Michael Palin took to the stage to talk about getting competitive with Sir David Attenborough – before presenting the birthday broadcaster with a chunk of Mount Everest (the one place Sir David has never made it to) dating back to 1926, the year he was born.
Unfortunately, Kirsty Young broke the news that the slab of mountain had to return to the Natural History Museum, with it having popped out for the night.
New sleep paralysis demon just dropped
If you’ve ever wondered what Benedict Cumberbatch looked like in infrared vision, now you don’t have to – as he’ll also be haunting your nightmares thanks to the BBC.
TV presenter Anna Demetriou was showing off some of the latest camera technology, which detects heat and is used by cameramen to film animals at night, when she took the opportunity to find Benedict Cumberbatch in the crowd.
“You look quite hot,” she said. Steady on, Anna – his wife is right there!