Planet Earth II has been the television phenomenon of 2016.
The BBC series on the world’s natural wonders has become must see TV every Sunday night for the past six weeks.
But on Sunday, the final episode in the six-instalment run was aired, and featured a poignant final message from the show’s incomparable narrator and the BBC’s wildlife expert for the ages, Sir David Attenborough.
The iconic broadcaster, now 90-years-old, used his send off for the show – which he delivered from the very top of the Shard high above London, to implore humanity to help make the world a better place for every creature in it.
We must protect our planet, and all those creatures who call it home. #PlanetEarth2 pic.twitter.com/9WpOWbMXgr
— BBC One (@BBCOne) December 11, 2016
And fans on Twitter were quick to register their appreciation for the show – and for Sir David’s impeccable presenting, with some even getting teary at his sign-off message.
That was the most poignant bit of tv I've seen in a long while. The piece Sir David delivered to camera made me weep.
— fearne cotton (@Fearnecotton) December 11, 2016
#PlanetEarth found myself weeping at this episode. Sobering viewing and such a powerful message from Sir David Attenborough
— Liz Fenn 💙💙💙💙💙💙 (@busylizzy) December 11, 2016
7yo has never cried at anything on telly, sobbed twice during #PlanetEarth 😢there are no words for it's brilliance, just amazing 😍😢
— Jenny Costello (@JennyCostello) December 11, 2016
May the message Sir David Attenborough said in the last episode of #PlanetEarth be loud and clear to everybody. We are but one planet.
— Daniel Winward (@DanielWinward) December 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/SamHollyAndrews/status/808057646578339845
🌍❤️️🌍❤️️🌍❤️️🌍❤️️🌍 #PlanetEarth2 pic.twitter.com/vEsJWnIUvr
— Christina McKelvie (@ChristinaSNP) December 11, 2016
What a finale #PlanetEarth
— Kyle Widdicombe (@WiddicombeKyle) December 11, 2016
Words of wisdom from David Attenborough on epic #PlanetEarth, urban edition. We need to design our cities for nature also. #urbanism #nature pic.twitter.com/CiKhUE1DGK
— Karin Lillevold (@karinlille) December 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/KyleMavris/status/808058791690469377
Oh, David Attenborough #PlanetEarth
— Catherine Evans (@CatNorth10) December 11, 2016
That closing speech 😢 deep! #PlanetEarth
— Amy Nisbet (@amybarbour_) December 11, 2016
I wonder how many people gave David Attenborough a standing ovation, in their living room, at the end of #PlanetEarth tonight?
— JohnTee (@J_T2012) December 11, 2016
And here’s an insight into how the great man records his incredible narration.
Script Writer. Presenter. Legend.
Sir David Attenborough on narrating #PlanetEarth2. pic.twitter.com/JwEuUVvejV— BBC One (@BBCOne) December 11, 2016
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