David Attenborough's 100th birthday marked with three new BBC programmes

The BBC will mark Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday on May 8 with a week of programming that includes three new shows and a curated collection of 40 of his programmes on iPlayer.

Sir David Attenborough will reach his 100th birthday on May 8 and the BBC is planning a week of special programming to mark the occasion. The broadcaster announced three new programmes alongside a selection of classic series and a dedicated iPlayer collection. One new film revisits the making of the 1979 series Life on Earth and includes new interviews with the presenter and the original production team. Other additions include a five-episode Secret Garden series and a live concert event at the Royal Albert Hall. Key details: - The special programming week begins on May 8 and will feature new and archival shows presented by Sir David. - Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure goes behind the scenes of the 1979 Life on Earth series, which filmed in 40 countries and covered around 600 species, and includes production team reflections on challenges such as a coup in the Comoros, being shot at, and an encounter with gorillas in Rwanda. - Secret Garden will run over five episodes across the UK and explores the hidden worlds within Britain’s gardens. - David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth is a live event at the Royal Albert Hall featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra and special guests. - The week will also include special episodes from series such as Planet Earth II, Seven Worlds, One Planet, Blue Planet II, Planet Earth III, Frozen Planet II, and the film Wild London, plus a dedicated collection of 40 programmes on iPlayer. Summary: The BBC describes the schedule as a celebration of Sir David Attenborough's contribution to natural history broadcasting and a recognition of his career milestone. The programming week, starting May 8, combines three new productions, selected classic episodes, and a curated iPlayer collection.