Today is the 91st birthday of certified National Treasure and the UK's grandad, Sir David Attenborough.
Despite his age, Sir David is showing no signs of slowing down. After the massive success of Planet Earth II last year, the BBC announced he would be returning to our screens once again with Blue Planet II. Brilliant.
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.
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."
The thing is, Sir Dave doesn't get as much love as I believe he should. Yeah, no-one's got a bad word to say about him, but where are the fan clubs? The parade? The day that's dedicated in his honour? He famously once said that he doesn't like the term 'national treasure', but if he isn't one - who is?
Our Dave's childhood was spent collecting stones, fossils and other natural specimens. He was destined for his future career from day one. The childhood innocence still reflects in his work, when he talks about nature and animals - there's a gentle twinkle in his eyes. This is one of the main reasons we love him; he's passionate. When Sir Dave's on the screen and he shouts 'BOO' at a sloth, you know you've got a man who fucking loves what he does. That's rare and it's bloody charming.
Credit: BBC/Planet Earth II
Off-screen, David married his true love in 1950 when he was in his mid-twenties. They were married for 47 years until her death in 1997. He's never re-married and instead says that his work keeps him busy. He told the Express that he does still sometimes get lonely. In his memoir, he wrote: "The focus of my life, the anchor had gone... Now I was lost."
Holy crap, can we just make a David Attenborough Day already? We should declare today a national holiday and we can all just sit around watching reruns of Planet Earth and Blue Planet.
Sir David Attenborough with wife Jane in 1991. Credit: PA
He was once asked what he would have done if he hadn't have got into TV, and he replied that he would've liked to have been a teacher. If he had been my science teacher, I probably wouldn't have had to do a re-sit.
Sir Dave is like your grandad. I've said this before and I'll say it again. He's a good man. He's knowledgeable. He's kind-hearted and he can tell you great stories. I reckon if you checked his pockets, there would be a picture of his wife, kids and grandkids and a load of Werther's Original.
Dave, I know you don't like being referred to as a national treasure. You're humble; I like that. But you have a place in all of our hearts.
Happy birthday, mate.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: World News, UK News, Blue Planet, Celebrity, Planet Earth, Sir David Attenborough