Attenborough unmatched to work with, say crews
Lindsay McCraeDocumentary makers who have worked with Sir David Attenborough have spoken of his legacy as the broadcasting legend turns 100.
Community groups, schools and fans across the world are marking the naturalist's milestone, with many who have worked with him sharing their stories.
Camera operator Lindsay McCrae, from Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, has worked on shows such as Dynasties and Sir David's new Secret Garden. He said: "He's unmatched, I often get asked who's going to replace him - there is nobody, he's the worldwide voice of natural history."
Sound recordist Chris Watson, from the Berwick area, said on set Sir David has a "wicked sense of humour".
He said: "He's been the absolute best travelling companion you could imagine and conversationalist, because he's interested in what you do."
Watson, who used to work for ITV Tyne Tees, told BBC Radio Newcastle when he got the opportunity to be on set with Sir David for The Life of Birds, he thought about it "for about half a second".
He described the moment they met in around 1992 recording the dawn chorus in the Forest of Dean as a surreal experience.
He said: "I can still remember it now, just hearing David's voice coming through my headphones and through my recorder in the darkness before dawn in the Forest of Dean was almost spooky, [I was thinking] am I hearing this? He's someone I listened to since childhood."
Watson said Sir David was a "really nice guy" who helped crews carry gear when out shooting.
He added: "He expects you to know what you're doing, he's 100% professional."
Chris WatsonMcCrae also met Sir David on a number of sets and echoed Watson's impression.
"He's just like anybody else, exactly as you'd expect," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.
McCrae was part of the crew that garnered media attention when they intervened to help a group of stranded penguins in Antarctica.
The move, which was unusual for documentary makers who are taught not to interfere with nature, was supported by Sir David.
McCrae said: "It was an unusual step, obviously, to intervene, but we did the right thing in the end and saved quite a number of baby emperor penguin chicks."
The crew dug steps in the snow to help the animals trapped in a gully, where they would have died.
McCrae said the penguins were trapped "in the depths of Antarctica" with no other creatures around.
"They hadn't been chased in there, they weren't going to get eaten by a predator - it wasn't like we were chasing a group of lions off a zebra."
Both filmmakers said it had been an honour to work with Sir David and share their passion for wildlife.
McCrae said: "It's incredible, I feel so lucky, we get to witness with our own eyes natural events that you couldn't pay to go and see."
A concert is to be held at the Royal Albert Hall in London to mark Sir David's birthday.
