Sir David Attenborough unrecognisable in 'hunky' throwback photos

Legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is a national treasure and a staple of our lives since the 1940s. His soothing voice has narrated countless insightful nature documentaries, making him a household name across Britain. Despite his fame, many might not recognise the 98-year-old in his youth - a time in which he spent growing up in Leicester .

After university, David began his career in the navy, leaving in 1949, reports the Express . A year later, he applied for a job at the BBC in radio. By 1965, he had become controller of BBC Two.



READ MORE: Inside BBC Gardeners' World star Monty Don's life off-screen - from financial loss to meeting wife He went on to produce and present the Life documentary series, including Life on Earth and The Living Planet. Some of his most renowned works include 2001's The Blue Planet, the Planet Earth series and Frozen Planet, which first aired in 2011. In recent years, Sir David has worked with streaming giants like Disney+ and Netflix, ensuring his programmes reach audiences worldwide.

While his earlier work primarily showcased the wonders of the natural world, his more recent projects have increasingly championed environmental causes, David, who has enjoyed success off-screen as a prolific author with over 25 books to his name and contributor to celebrated titles like Planet Earth and Frozen Planet, spoke about his life's work in September 2013: "If I was earning my money by hewing coal I would be very glad indeed to stop. But I'm not. I'm swanning round the world looking at the most fabulously interesting things.

Such good fortune." His immense contribution to broadcasting and wildlife film-making has earned him widespread acclaim, including a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours for 1985. By January 2013, Sir David Attenborough had received 32 honorary degrees from British universities, holding the record for the most acquired by one individual.

He also holds a Guinness World Record for having the longest-running career as a TV presenter and natural historian. We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first.