David Attenborough marks his 100th birthday tomorrow (Image: Getty)
BBC Breakfast viewers were left fighting tears as the programme aired an emotional update about Sir David Attenborough the day before his 100th birthday. He will mark being alive for a century tomorrow (May 8), and his friend and colleague Hans Zimmer, who has composed the soundtracks for many of his nature documentaries, was on the morning show to wish him the best with a poignant message.
During the emotional segment, some of David's best bits were shown on screen, as a Breakfast correspondent explained: "Over the last 72 years, he has been a unique witness to the natural world. It's perhaps not surprising that his friends, fans and colleagues want to honour him on this landmark birthday. Among them, the man who wrote the score for some of his most famous moments. Hans - the iguana scene!"
Hans quipped: "The thing that every Hollywood director is envious of, because it's basically the greatest car chase never filmed.
"You can do movies that tell great stories and are enjoyed by millions of people, but none of it is as important as working for David Attenborough, because that is really about the existence of our planet."
Asked if he had a message for the BBC star on his landmark birthday, Hans replied: "David, I wish another 100 years for you, just for starters.
"Because I have a feeling we are all just getting going, and the other thing... and this is me being actually serious about it, we need you. David, we need you for another 100 years."
Hans Zimmer issued a poignant message (Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, producer Alastair Fothergill - who has worked for David for four decades - said: "He hates 'celebrity', he doesn't like that at all. He's realised he has to do it, he's realised how famous he is. But, if he could escape everything else about celebrity, he would be very pleased.
"David would like nothing to be happening around his 100th birthday, that would be his favourite choice. He'd like to be at home all day with a nice glass of wine in the evening."
Viewers turned to social media to share their thoughts on the emotional message, with one writing: "This had me tearing up a bit, [not gonna lie]."
Another said: "Happy 100th (8th May) Mr Attenborough. Thank you for the education, beautiful documentaries and the memories."
