Gorillas revisited with sir david attenborough

Sir David Attenborough has said the BBC of today would never have commissioned his first nature show - depriving him of a career spanning eight decades. The legendary broadcaster, 94, said the risk-averse and red tape-loving corporation wouldn't have taken a chance on his groundbreaking 1954 programme Zoo Quest, which followed him on an expedition to Africa. Sir David said: “Out of the blue I thought it would be wonderful to go to Africa. "To my amazement the bosses at the BBC said, ‘That’s not a bad idea’... and they let me do it. I’m sure I could have done it much better if I’d been more experienced or talented, but we got away with it." He added to the Call Of The Wild with Cel Spellman and WWF podcast: "The BBC said, ‘How long will it take?’ ‘Ooh, three or four months’. ‘Oh well, good luck, my dear chap. Hope to see you at Christmas’. "It was that kind of organisation at the time, it isn’t like that anymore." Sir David's latest nature series Life in Colour … [Read more...] about Sir David Attenborough says BBC of today wouldn’t have taken a chance on his first nature show

David Beckham has reportedly set to make a new TV series about underprivileged young footballers for Disney+. The legendary British footballer, 45, is said to have signed a seven-figure deal with the streaming service to make the new series. A source told The Sun: "David was approached by Disney+ about making the show and he was very taken with the idea because it really reflects his own experiences growing up. Plus he’s still so committed to young talent in the game. "He will be acting as a mentor figure to a group of young people growing up in the inner cities whose lives are being changed by football." The paper adds that the streaming service was especially keen to cast David as the mentor due to his own life experiences and success. They added: "It was a huge coup for Disney to get David on board." David, who grew up in Leytonstone in East London, is also reported to be keen to share his passions with these young people, who will also have grown up in a … [Read more...] about David Beckham ‘signs seven-figure Disney+ deal for TV show on young footballers’

A former top civil servant at the Home Office has settled his employment tribunal claim against the government. Sir Philip Rutnam resigned from his role as the department's permanent secretary last year, amid bullying allegations against Priti Patel . Announcing his departure, Sir Philip accused the home secretary of a "vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign" against him. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player November 2020: 'I'm sorry that my behaviour upset people' Ms Patel has rejected all claims of bullying that have been made against her. Sir Philip, who was claiming "constructive dismissal", said in a statement released through the FDA union: "I am pleased to say that the government has today settled the claims that I brought against them and which were due to be heard in an employment tribunal in September." Advertisement He added: "This settlement resolves my own case. The FDA is continuing to … [Read more...] about Sir Philip Rutnam: Former top Home Office civil servant settles employment tribunal claim against government

A pair of slippers belonging to Winston Churchill could fetch up to £15,000 at auction. The footwear, which date back to the 1950s, have leather soles and are embroidered with his initials in gold. For the first time in 20 years, they are going up for sale alongside a large brandy glass that belonged to the wartime leader. The slippers are expected to go under the hammer for £15,000, while the brandy balloon could fetch up to £10,000. The current owner says he will be sad to part with the items, but hopes they will go to someone who cherishes them as much as he has. Advertisement "I often imagine the great man sitting in his chair with these slippers on and this very glass filled with brandy in his hand," he said. The items will be sold by Bellmans auctioneers on 9 March. More from UK Recommended 1% pay rise for NHS staff labelled 'pitiful' by nursing union Harry and Meghan: Royal Family accused of 'double standards' over … [Read more...] about Sir Winston Churchill’s slippers could fetch £15,000 at auction

Cold-blooded killer Jane Andrews murdered her boyfriend after he refused to marry her. Sarah Ferguson's former royal dresser battered sleeping Tom Cressman with a cricket bat before stabbing him in the chest with a kitchen knife. After the horrific attack, Andrews vanished for four days before eventually being found in a "distressed" state in her car. While Andrews was on the run, Fergie left two voicemail messages pleading with her former dresser to hand herself into the authorities. Despite her claims of domestic abuse, it took a jury just 12 hours to convict Andrews of Tom’s murder in 2001 and she was sentenced to serve a minimum of 12 years of a life sentence. But that wasn't the end of her troubles, as Andrews went on the run after escaping from prison, then after being released was put behind bars again. Here is what happened to Jane Andrews after she was put behind bars Prison escape Andrews was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder by a psychiatrist … [Read more...] about Where Jane Andrews is now – prison escape, Fergie ‘terror’ and stacking shelves