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One hundred years of Sir David Attenborough

Open up the Unexpected Elements party bag and treat yourself to a show filled with the ageing secrets of centenarians and the science of immortality. Plus, a really big boat...

Sir David Attenborough is arguably the world鈥檚 favourite broadcaster, and this week he鈥檚 blowing out the candles on his 100th birthday cake. Inspired by his significant birthday, we decided to uncover the biology behind centenarians. What are Sir David鈥檚 secrets?

Speaking of ageing, we then find out about a little jellyfish that never gets old. Could it help us unlock immortality?

Next up, climb aboard as we chat with Dr Nadine Johnston, a marine ecologist who works on the iconic Sir David Attenborough research vessel, as she tells us about the tiny Antarctic animals that could lock up more carbon than the Amazon rainforest.

We then find out about improved landslide prediction in Nepal and how the world has changed in Sir David鈥檚 life.

All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Chhavi Sachdev and Tristan Ahtone
Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Ella Hubber and Robbie Wojciechowski

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50 minutes

Last on

Sun 10 May 2026 19:06GMT

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  • Fri 8 May 2026 09:06GMT
  • Fri 8 May 2026 23:06GMT
  • Sat 9 May 2026 03:06GMT
  • Sat 9 May 2026 14:06GMT
  • Sun 10 May 2026 19:06GMT

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