In a recorded audio message shared the night before his birthday, the legendary broadcaster and naturalist said he had hoped to mark the occasion “quietly,” but has been inundated with messages from around the world.

The milestone will be marked with a live event at the Royal Albert Hall that will air on the BBC on Friday (May 8), the same day the TV legend turns 100.

David Attenborough’s career as TV star turns 100

Sir David was born on May 8 1926, in London, the son of an academic and principal of University College, Leicester.

Before joining the BBC in 1952, he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy, before earning his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC.

In 1965, he became controller of BBC Two, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming, but life as a broadcast executive did not appeal, and he returned to his passion for filming wildlife.

His recognisable whispering voice became a household sound in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel, The Living Planet, in 1984.

The following year, he was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II before being awarded a Knight Grand Cross honour in 2022.

Sir David Attenborough was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2022 (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane, whom he married in 1950, while his late brother Richard was a well-known actor and film director, who starred in movies such as The Great Escape, Doctor Dolittle and Jurassic Park.

In recent years, Sir David, who resides in Richmond, has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III.

Sir David Attenborough left ‘overwhelmed’ by 100th birthday wishes

Sir David said: “I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas.

“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings from pre-school groups to care home residents and countless individuals and families of all ages.”

He offered his heartfelt thanks to everyone who reached out.

Sir David said: “I simply can’t reply to each of you all separately, but I would like to thank you all most sincerely for your kind messages.

“I wish those of you who have planned your own local events tomorrow a very happy day.”

His centenary will be marked by a live event at the Royal Albert Hall, which will feature music from his programmes, stories and reflections from public figures and leading advocates for the natural world.

The event will be broadcast on BBC One.

Elsewhere, the Natural History Museum’s immersive exhibition presented by Sir David will be adapted into a free five-minute show and displayed at Outernet London, Tottenham Court Road, beginning May 8.

Sir David will guide viewers through the history of humanity and the planet, before offering a glimpse of London’s future.

Environmental organisations and animal charities have also joined in the celebrations.

PETA has named a rescued bull “Sir Attenbullock” in his honour.

Sir Attenbullock was one of the first animals saved through PETA India’s Delhi mechanisation project.

A new species of wasp has also been named after Sir David Attenborough to mark his centenary.

The Attenboroughnculus tau, a wasp named after Sir David Attenborough (Image: The Natural History Museum/PA Wire)

The National History Museum (NHM) paid tribute to Sir David by naming the insect native to the Patagonian lakes of Chile as Attenboroughnculus tau.

The specimen, which was collected in 1984 in the Valdivia province of Chile, may be the only record of the entire species’ existence, according to the NHM, and was found by chance four decades later after someone peeked into a drawer.

The museum said the naming is in recognition of the “incredible work that Attenborough has done to show us the wonder and beauty of nature, but also to inspire generations of scientists to pursue careers in natural history”.

Others named after him include a wildflower, butterfly, grasshopper, dinosaur and ghost shrimp.

What is your favourite David Attenborough series? Let us know in the comments or in the poll above.

Oxford United Walking Football Club sent its overs 50s and 65s squads to the Mallorca Walking Football Tournament from April 30 to May 4.

Mark Quainton, who joined the club just 15 months ago and turned 54 during the tournament, led the over 50s teams as player-manager.

The team comprised players in their 50s and 60s and three over the age of 70,with some competing in their first oversees tournament.

In the group stage, they faced strong opposition from teams representing Glasgow, Morocco and Poland.

Oxford United Walking Football Club playing against Glasgow Rangers (Image: Mark Quainton)

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Morocco, who played its national team, emerged as the standout team when they entered the knockout stages unbeaten.

Oxford adapted by making key tactical decisions ahead of the knockout rounds, including a formation change.

The adjustments paid off as the over 50s team edged passed Morocco in what was described as a ‘dramatic’ semi-final, decided by penalties

In both the semi-final and final, goalkeeper Stephen Bellinger produced crucial saves while Quainton and Marc Cresswell helped secure the victory.

Oxford United Walking Football Club wins international Walking Football Tournament in Mallorca (Image: Mark Quainton)

The win sparked emotional celebrations by players, teammates and supporters, including their former Glasgow rivals.

Quainton said: “We were all shocked and it still hasn’t sunk in but it means the world to us as players and as a club.

“We all support Oxford United, so to represent the badge and win a trophy abroad is a dream come true. It proves that no matter your age, you can still achieve something special.”

Oxford now hope to return next year to defend their title.

James Holder, 54, had gone back to the woman’s home, went to the toilet and then promptly fell asleep on her bed snoring.

The multi-millionaire fashion boss then woke up and beckoned the woman, who was trying to sleep in the lounge, into her bedroom and raped her.

Holder had denied charges of assault by penetration and rape and said what sexual activity took place between them was consensual.

A jury at Gloucester Crown Court, sitting in Cirencester, acquitted Holder of assault by penetration but found him guilty of rape after deliberating for four hours.

The defendant, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Bristol Crown Court today (May 7).

At Bristol Crown Court today, Recorder David Chidgey told Holder that he had committed a “despicable piece of sexual violence”, reports the BBC.

Holder appeared via video link from prison and was said to have shown no reaction when the sentence was given.

Holder’s victim said, in a statement read to the court, he had taken her “choice, dignity and body”.

She added: “What you did that day has followed me, it has cast shadows where there should be light.”