David Attenborough is among the most influential, respected and best-liked figures in television. When, aged 26, he applied for a job in the BBC – which in turn meant radio – he was quickly turned down. But someone noticed his rejected program letter and asked, would he like to try television? He would, and almost 60 years afterwards he’s still at it. Elegantly told and often extremely funny, his tale contains how he presented colour tv to Britain, and the backdrop to his epic series, such as Life on Earth and Life in Cold Bloodstream.