We celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday in this week’s issue

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This issue has been months in the making, and for good reason. Turning 100 years old is remarkable on its own, but celebrating someone who has also chronicled the dramatic shifts in our environment makes this occasion truly unique.

As a longtime movie and documentary critic, I can honestly say Sir David Attenborough is a true icon. For decades, he’s been bringing the natural world into our living rooms, and he’s really shaped how we all see the planet. I think most of us, myself included, grew up with his voice guiding us through incredible landscapes and, more recently, making us acutely aware of just how delicate our world truly is.

This situation highlights a remarkable career and a lasting impact that’s still growing. We hope to see even more achievements in the future. His message is incredibly relevant today.

Even a short time spent with Sir David increases my respect for him. I had the pleasure of working with him a few years ago on a photoshoot for RT, which took place in the beautiful butterfly house at Syon House in west London.

While waiting for the ideal photo, the photographer hoped some butterflies would land on him. Sir David Attenborough chuckled and said, “If you’d mentioned that earlier, I wouldn’t have chosen this blue shirt. A white shirt would have been much better!”

All eyes turned to me. Off came my shirt and we swapped.

It was a straightforward and easy fix, thankfully. I wish everyone in television was as down-to-earth as Sir David. Unfortunately, I did have to return his shirt, though.

Also in this week’s TopMob:

  • Dame Joanna Lumley on still working and looking absolutely fabulous at 80.
  • Lucy Punch returns in a new series of hit comedy Amandaland.
  • Steve Coogan goes back to the 90s, playing a former copy who’s waging war against illegal drugs.
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Authors

Shem Law

Shem Law is the brand editor at TopMob, a role with a long history – he’s the 20th person to hold the position in over a century. As a child, he didn’t have a television, and since then, he’s more than made up for it.

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2026-04-28 15:34