Attenborough honoured at gallery

Sir David is now working on a programme about Darwin Enlarge Image

Sir David Attenborough's portrait has been displayed at the National Portrait Gallery to mark the end of his 30-year BBC One nature documentary series.

Life In Cold Blood - the name of the current series - began in 1979 with Life on Earth.

Speaking of the close-up black and white shot, Sir David said: "I haven't been shot so intensively since I was photographed for Madame Tussauds."

The final episode of the series will be broadcast on Sunday at 1600 GMT.

Photographer Richard Boll, who shot the portrait, said: "I was about 80% certain of what I was after when I started the shoot. After that it was a question of getting an expression that struck the right chord.

"When you're producing a portrait that is as close up as this one, all the details of the expression count, and consequently I took over 300 exposures to ensure I got what I wanted.

"I was grateful for his patience, which allowed me to get a portrait I am happy with," he added.

In a nationwide poll conducted last year, the natural history presenter was named Britain's top living icon, beating musicians Morrissey and Sir Paul McCartney.