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Piccadilly Circus honors naturalist with centenary tribute
London's iconic Piccadilly Lights have been transformed into a celebration of Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday, displaying a special video message throughout the day.
A lifetime of inspiration
The two-minute film, created by BBC Studios, reflects on Attenborough's unparalleled career, which has spanned over seven decades and brought the wonders of the natural world into millions of homes.
His documentaries have reshaped public understanding of wildlife, ecosystems, and the planet, earning him global admiration.
London's wild side
Attenborough's recent work includes Wild London, a documentary series exploring the capital's biodiversity, co-produced by the London Wildlife Trust and Passion Pictures.
Executive producer Gaby Bastyra, a lifelong Londoner, described working with Attenborough as a dream fulfilled. "He created the genre of wildlife television," she said. "His voice carries authority and knowledge."
"Not many people get to go to the Amazon or the Serengeti, but there are amazing wildlife stories playing out all around us all the time."
Gaby Bastyra, Executive Producer
Bastyra highlighted the return of peregrine falcons to London, including nests on the Houses of Parliament, as a standout conservation success featured in the series.
A personal connection
Dr. Sean McCormack, chair of the Ealing Wildlife Group and a consultant on Wild London, recalled a memorable moment filming with Attenborough at age 99.
"He was absolutely charming, funny, and generous with his time," McCormack said. "Watching him work-nailing his lines at 99-was incredible."
A highlight was Attenborough's reaction to holding a harvest mouse, which lingered on his hand. "You could see his childlike joy," McCormack added. "He wished it well on its new life in the wild."
From fossils to global influence
Born in London on May 8, 1926, Attenborough's passion for nature began in childhood, collecting fossils near his Leicester home. After studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge and serving in the Royal Navy, he joined the BBC in 1952, launching a broadcasting legacy.
Now a resident of Richmond upon Thames, he has often spoken of his love for London's urban wildlife, from deer to falcons nesting above the city's streets.
Beyond his television work, Attenborough serves as a trustee for the British Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and is president of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation.
