Get the latest gossip

Happy birthday, David Attenborough! 99 ways he has inspired us, by Barack Obama, Billie Eilish, Morgan Freeman – and many more

This week the presenter turns 99. To celebrate, we asked 99 nature lovers – including Margaret Atwood, Jane Fonda, Bono, Kate Winslet and Michael Palin – how he has helped us see the world with fresh eyes

Photograph: Suki Dhanda/The Guardian Executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme As part of Blue Planet II, Sir David captured the beauty of our oceans and the threats they are facing, including the impacts of plastic pollution. Broadcaster, writer I’ve watched David Attenborough’s programmes my whole life and what I am inspired by, other than the obvious warmth and intelligence, is the economy of his writing and the music of how he delivers the lines: the pauses, the inflection, how he can imbue even a single word with wit. And the power of Sir David’s message, always spoken gently with his extraordinary human spirit and intellect, reaching out to us – profoundly moving and kind, full of hope and love – convincing me that now, I’ve finally found the reason for my work.

Get the Android app