Chris Packham says David Attenborough has been ‘enormous mentor over the years’

TV nature presenter and activist Chris Packham has described veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough as “an enormous mentor over the years” while speaking at an event in honour of his 100th birthday.

Packham, 65, was one of a number of celebrity guests who spoke during Sir David Attenborough’s 100 Years On Planet Earth tribute event at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday, with the Prince of Wales and Sir Michael Palin, while the King delivered a message in a pre-recorded video.

He told the Press Association: “David has been an enormous mentor over the years.

“When I first started television presenting, I recorded VHS tapes of his own presenting, and I analysed it to see how he best communicated with audiences, not to mimic him, but I wanted to learn how to optimise that capacity to communicate.

“So from that point of view, I’ve always held him in the highest esteem, and later, when I got to know him a bit, he would offer me advice.

“I took some of it, and then, unfortunately, I didn’t take some of it and generally, I should have done, so it’s been an enormous privilege to share ideas, passion and of course, our great love for nature.

“Whenever we get together, we immediately start telling each other, what’s the most recent thing we’ve seen, what’s the most recent great story in the natural world that’s pricked up our ears, and his passion and enthusiasm, and fascination is never done.

“David built a firm foundation of engaging people with Life On Earth, and he invested an enormous amount in getting them to develop an affinity, a love, and that meant that they cared about it.

“And now he uses his voice, and I’m able to use mine to draw upon that love and care, because we’re in a crisis, and we really need to be looking after the environment and life far more often than we are, and David has done that.”

The Springwatch star urged the world to “heed upon his very wise words”.

Packham added: “The key thing about David as a broadcaster and an ambassador, is that he’s always told us the truth, and when someone’s telling you the truth with the emphasis and importance of Sir David Attenborough, then you would be wise to listen.”

Published: 09/05/2026 by Radio NewsHub