TV legend Sir David has ‘urgent’ surgery to fit pacemaker

Veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has undergone surgery to insert a pacemaker.

A spokesman for the 87-year-old naturalist, who was forced to cancel a sell-out speaking tour of Australia because of the “urgent” procedure, said doctors believed that the TV star was doing well.

He said: “Sir David has now had the operation and his doctors are satisfied with his progress.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier, he said the documentary-maker, who has been named Britain’s greatest living national treasure, was still his “lively self”.

“It’s a minor procedure but it meant that he cannot go on a 27-hour flight to Australia,” the spokesman added.

“He’s very disappointed that he can’t fulfil the tour but it’s nothing to be alarmed about. He’s seeing his doctor now but he’s still his lively self.”

News of the procedure was issued in a statement by the company promoting the tour in Australia, Sir David Attenborough: A Life On Earth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Sir David Attenborough is to undergo surgery in London today following advice from his cardiologist that he is in urgent need of a pacemaker,” Lateral Event Management said.

“Sir David expressed his extreme disappointment as he said he was very much looking forward to coming back to Australia and he hopes to reschedule his tour in the near future.”

The wildlife star said recently that he had no intention of doing less, adding: “I’ve been broadcasting for 60 years. I don’t want to slow down. Retirement would be so boring.”