I just to go wanted abroad.

Sir David 'cooked up' first show as excuse for holiday

- NICOLA METHVEN

On December 21, Sir David Attenborough will mark 70 years as a TV presenter, although as he will readily admit, he never wanted to be on screen in the first place.

It all began for the legend on Zoo Quest in 1954-a show that proved a big hit and, despite some hiccups, went on to have seven series.

It starred London Zoo's Jack Lester but the very first episode was so shaky that the programme was nearly axed in its infancy.

Sir David was a 28-year-old producer on Zoo Quest and extremely reluctant to step in front of the cameras.

In fact, he only agreed to help out reptile expert Jack, who was struggling in the role, when he became unwell.

And as the veteran broadcaster explained in 1964, the whole premise of the show was "cooked up" over a cuppa with Jack.

Sir David said: "It really began because I just jolly well wanted to go abroad.

"One shouldn't say that, it sounds rather irresponsible.

"I said, "It seems dreadful we can't think of some excuse for going abroad together to the tropics', because Jack was an experienced animal collector.

"And we decided, over that cup of tea, that the zoo should send someone to collect animals and the BBC should send a film team. I had the idea that I should be a member of that film team."