Stars unite with WWF to mark Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday

Celebrities and influencers share personal messages and urgent calls to protect the planet for future generations, inspired by Sir David’s work .

To mark the 100^th birthday of the nation’s most beloved naturalist and WWF Ambassador, Sir David Attenborough, WWF has brought together an extraordinary line-up of celebrities, artists and cultural voices to honour a lifetime that has inspired generations to love and care for our wonderful world – and to renew our shared commitment to protect nature for generations to come.

The project features a powerful spoken word reinterpretation of the classic What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, voiced by a remarkable collective of famous voices including Morgan Freeman, Dame Judi Dench, Sam Heughan, Geri Halliwell-Horner, Miranda Richardson, Liz Bonnin, Nadeem Perera, Asa Butterfield, Iwan Rheon and Cel Spellman.

The piece will be broadcast nationwide across Global Radio stations including Heart and Capital, and on WWF’s social media channels, bringing a poignant message to millions. WWF will also bring the celebration message across the London Underground, demonstrating our wonderful world with a series of nature success stories.

Alongside the What a Wonderful World audio piece, a series of heartfelt messages will see well-known figures reflect on Sir David’s profound influence on their lives and work, as well as sharing their hopes – and urgent concerns – for the future of the natural world. A common theme across these messages is a powerful call to protect the planet for future generations, with many speaking about the responsibility to ensure children can experience the same joy, wonder and connection to nature. Contributors including Asa Butterfield, Levison Wood, Geri Halliwell-Horner, Iwan Rheon, Sam Bentley and Cel Spellman speak candidly about the need for collective action, with several issuing direct calls for stronger leadership and environmental commitments from governments.

What a Wonderful World not only celebrates a century of Sir David Attenborough’s life but also reinforces the ongoing importance of his work – reminding audiences of the beauty, fragility and urgency of protecting our natural world.

Sir David Attenborough’s relationship with WWF spans more than six decades, placing him at the very heart of the organisation’s story. Present at WWF’s founding in 1961 and once described by founder Sir Peter Scott as the “patron saint of conservation,” Sir David has consistently used his voice and influence to amplify WWF’s mission.

From speaking at global platforms such as the World Economic Forum and COP26, to supporting landmark projects, his contributions have helped bring the urgent need to restore nature into homes, boardrooms and governments worldwide. Through powerful storytelling in works such as David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet and more recently Wild Isles, co-produced with WWF, he has not only documented the beauty of the natural world but also issued compelling calls to action to protect it.

All images supplied by WWF. All cleared for global use.
Thumbnail image credit: Conor McDonnell.
Sir David Attenborough - A Life On Our Planet - filming on location, Maasai Mara, Kenya. Sir David Attenborough - A Life On Our Planet - filming on location, Maasai Mara, Kenya.