David Attenborough fans call for national bank holiday as BBC unveils major plans for his 100th birthday

The broadcaster described the occasion as marking an "extraordinary milestone" for the nature documentary icon, who has been associated with the corporation for more than seven decades.

Viewers will be treated to fresh content as well as special episodes from some of his most cherished series, with an additional collection of 40 programmes available.

Among the new programmes is Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure, which goes behind the scenes of the groundbreaking 1979 BBC One series.

The original show followed Sir David Attenborough on a three-year journey around the world, travelling through 40 countries and filming more than 600 species over the course of a million miles.

New interviews with the presenter and members of the original crew have revealed how challenging the production was, from a coup in the Comoros to coming under fire in Rwanda and facing threats from forces loyal to Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

The series went on to attract 500 million viewers worldwide, cementing Sir David’s reputation as the leading wildlife filmmaker of his generation.

His encounter with mountain gorillas in Rwanda remains one of television's most celebrated moments.

Secret Garden, spanning five episodes, will see Sir David explore the hidden ecosystems thriving in British back gardens, highlighting the rich biodiversity on doorsteps across the nation while offering guidance on how viewers can help protect endangered species.

The third new programme, David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth, promises a spectacular live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall.

The week will also feature special episodes from Sir David's most acclaimed work, including Planet Earth II, Seven Worlds, One Planet, Blue Planet II, Planet Earth III, Frozen Planet II, and his recent film Wild London.

Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for specialist factual at the BBC, said it was "impossible to overstate what Sir David Attenborough has given us".

He continued: "His programmes have not only defined science and natural history broadcasting, but they have also changed how we see our planet and our place within it."

Mr Bootle added that the week represents "a moment for all of us at the BBC to say thank you to David, for his generosity, for his brilliance, and for a lifetime spent bringing the wonders of nature into our homes."

The news set social media alight, with one user demanding on X: “We need a bank holiday and parties!”

"Incredible,” penned another fan, while a third deemed the news "too good to be true".

A fourth viewer said Sir David is “restoring my faith in humanity”.

“Incredible man. What a life, what a career. Sir David Attenborough is a total one-off,” added another.

Many viewers wished the broadcaster an early "happy birthday."

Ahead of his 99th birthday last May, Sir David reflected on his own mortality and the state of the world’s oceans in his new documentary Ocean with David Attenborough.

The film saw the broadcaster examine the threats facing marine environments, while delivering a message of hope that the oceans can recover “faster than we had ever imagined.”

Sir David suggested it may have been his final time filming on location and described the sea as “Earth’s support system,” urging the creation of protected marine reserves to safeguard its fragile ecosystems.

Looking back on nearly a century of observing the planet, he contrasted humanity’s old view of the ocean as a wilderness to be conquered with his current understanding of its "vital role in combating climate change."