The impending retirement of longtime BBC science personality David Attenborough is prompting discussion over who could replace him in presenting the mysteries and delights of the natural world to the public.

Attenborough nominated fellow Brit and physics professor turned presenter Brian Cox, who declared himself “lost for words” at the compliment. Other suggested candidates include naturalist and photographer Chris Packham, documentary cameraman Simon King, wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan and entomologist and author George McGavin.

TV producer and naturalist Stephen Moss credits the nature of broadcasting during the early decades of Attenborough’s career with making possible a rounded and respected personality like the one he became.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

The Guardian:

“In my view it’s very simple,” says the TV producer and naturalist Stephen Moss. “There’s no successor to David Attenborough, because it’s impossible. When he started there was one channel, and for most of his career there were only three. So you could be ‘David Attenborough’, and command huge audiences. He’s the last survivor of that.”

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