AFFER EMOTIONAL CONFESSION: BBC ISSUES huge David Attenborough ANNOUNCEMENT 99 age

Sir David Attenborough’s next documentary’s release date has been confirmed by the BBC. Parenthood will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, beginning on August 3 at 7.20pm. The TV star, 99, narrated the documentary, which was filmed over three years and across six continents. It will be a five-part series delving into the extraordinary measures various species take to ensure their young thrive.

Jack Bootle, head of BBC specialist factual commissioning, told The Mirror that Sir David has completed recording his meticulously crafted scripts for the entire series. “This is a wonderful, warm, engaging and surprising series, made by some of the very best wildlife filmmakers in the world, and I’m thrilled Sir David is joining us again to narrate it,” he expressed.

Produced by the team behind Wild Isles, The Hunt, and The Mating Game, the series showcases the intense challenges of animal parenthood, where ingenious survival tactics are crucial for giving their offspring an edge.

Jeff Wilson, the series producer and director, described the project as “the ultimate celebration of the joys and challenges of raising offspring in the natural world”. He detailed: “Silverback Films did a deep dive into the subject over 2.5 years, uncovering extraordinary new behaviours and jaw-dropping dramas using the world’s best wildlife cinematographers and directors.

“We are incredibly proud that Sir David was on board with us to bring to the screen a landmark series that has something for everyone – moments of heart warming tenderness, high stakes narrative , and a timely guide from a huge cast of unbelievably engaging cast of characters on how to navigate the complex world of Parenthood.”

Cameras have documented countless captivating scenes, from orcas instructing their young in blue whale hunting techniques to orangutans demonstrating bed-making skills to their offspring, plus hippo families braving the perilous African darkness.

The footage also features devoted elephant matriarchs guiding their calves to water sources, cardinalfish fathers sheltering their young within their mouths, and a lion pride that welcomes orphaned cubs following their mother’s death, nurturing them into formidable predators.

One source revealed: “Everyone is thrilled to have David on board. It’s what was hoped for when production on this series started three years ago but seeing the scripts and hearing his narration is always so exciting. It’s such a privilege to have him.”

This fresh venture surfaces just days after the renowned broadcaster sparked attention by acknowledging he was nearing “the end of my life” – noting that regarding ocean restoration efforts in the coming decades, he will “not see how that story ends”. Unveiling his latest book and television series Ocean for National Geographic last week, Sir David reflected: “When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity. Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true.”

BBC executives are optimistic that Sir David will present the third instalment of the acclaimed Blue Planet series next year, following his centenary celebrations in May. An insider revealed to the i newspaper: “Blue Planet III isn’t due to transmit until the end of 2026. As David no longer travels the globe filming, there is less need to get him on board early in the production stages – as long as David wishes to continue doing narrations, we are of course delighted to have his brilliant contributions.”