Sir David Attenborough joins rapper Dave in wildlife series to 'lift spirits'

The BBC has teamed up Sir David Attenborough with rapper Dave for a new series showing animals overcoming adversity to lift "viewers' spirits".

At a "time of international uncertainty" the corporation has drafted the broadcaster to narrate his first natural history programme of 2020 in a bid to cheer up audiences.

The documentary-maker has collaborated with the Mercury Prize-winning rapper and classically trained musician Dave for the new show.

Planet Earth: A Celebration will air during the summer, and while Sir David will provide the voiceover for the uplifting natural events being shown, Dave has worked on the soundtrack.

He has played the grand piano with the BBC Concert Orchestra for the score, and composer Hans Zimmer has also provided new compositions for the BBC One special.  In an attempt to provide inspirational content for viewers, the BBC has drawn on its catalogue of natural history programmes to compile footage of more cheerful events in the wild, and not just show nature red in tooth and claw.

However, they will include an octopus fighting off a shark by thrusting its many limbs into the predator's gills to suffocate it.

The BBC One programme will look at how "animals overcome adversity to survive and thrive in some of the world's most challenging environments - offering a message of hope to humanity".

Dave said: "I've always been a fan of powerful natural history documentaries. This is where nature and music come together."

Lord Tony Hall, the BBC director-general, said: "This thrilling journey around the world promises to lift everyone's spirits."

The programme will show eight sequences taken from the BBC's popular documentaries Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II.