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Sir David Attenborough Opens Up About His Health Problems

Sir David Attenborough Opens Up About His Health Problems

He's currently filming 'Blue Planet II'

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

The UK's granddad and national treasure, Sir David Attenborough, has revealed that he suffers with memory problems, which make his job more difficult.

In an interview with The Telegraph he admitted that he sometimes struggles to remember 'proper names', which can make scriptwriting hard.

He added that he's 'coming to terms' with the fact his memory isn't what it once was and that it now takes longer for him to find the right words.

Credit: PA

Speaking to the paper after filming in Switzerland, he said: "There were these searing yellow fields and I can't think of the damn name. I wanted to say something about it but I couldn't and it wasn't until we got quite close to Geneva that I thought, 'Of course, oil seed rape'."

Ninety-year-old Sir David also told the paper he doesn't use the Internet or emails. He said: "I'm not a big fan of electronic communication. When it comes to making television programmes, I like to think that I know what the latest gear is and what tomorrow's latest gear is, but maybe I'm deceiving myself."

Planet Earth II was, hands down, the best show of last year (if you don't agree, fight me) and its success led the BBC to commissioning Blue Planet II, which Attenborough is currently working on.

He's set to make two appearances in the new seven-part-series, as well as narrating. Sir David has promised viewers they will be blown away by footage which the crew managed to record 1,000 metres under the Antarctic Ocean.


Credit: PA

They also filmed animals previously never caught on camera before, including hairy-chested Hoff crabs, snub fin dolphins and a tusk fish, which has taught itself to use tools.

Speaking shortly after the BBC announcement, he said: "I am truly thrilled to be joining this new exploration of the underwater worlds which cover most of our planet, yet are still its least known."

Despite his age, Sir David is showing no signs of slowing down - he's also signed up for an animated-show for CBeebies called Attenborough's Adventures, which I'm definitely too old for, but will be watching.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Planet Earth, david attenborough