David Attenborough told BBC co-star he'd 'had enough' before walk-out

Although he is now famed for his wildlife documentaries, Sir David Attenborough was once controller of BBC 2 from 1965 to 1969. During this time, he oversaw the broadcast of colour television and the commission of iconic shows like Civilisation. In an unearthed interview with Dad's Army creator Jimmy Perry, it was revealed that Attenborough struggled when he was behind the scenes at the public broadcaster and one day suddenly walked out.

Perry, who sadly died back in 2016 at the age of 93, is known for his part writing for Britain's best-loved comedy that came to life as a result of him befriending RADA classmate Ann Callender. She went on to become Perry's agent and married David Croft, a TV producer. Perry recalled: "She used to drag him along to see me sing in some musical or other. I don't know if it was out of sympathy, but I got into a series called Hugh and I." This was a comedy starring Terry Scott and Hugh Lloyd that Croft produced for the BBC.

Now on Croft's radar, Perry gave him scripts for a new show he'd thought of. Croft liked them and Dad's Army was born. It was going to be called The Fighting Tigers, but the then head of comedy at the time Michael Mills changed it.

Although Perry says the BBC was "tinged with snobbery", he shared that "young writers could work without being harassed. We were left alone."

Perry recalled warmly how Attenborough, 99, was controller of BBC 2 at the time Dad's Army came together. "I was in his office one day. He said, 'Jimmy I've had enough of this, I must get back to the field.' And he loved being in the jungle. He is without a doubt the nicest person I ever met in my life. He's not smarmy, just a genuine guy."

It comes as an immersive exhibition chronicling the history of the human species, presented the historian and naturalist is set to open at the Natural History Museum this week. Our Story with David Attenborough explores the journey of humankind from its earliest origins, combining real-world footage with 360-degree immersion.

Created in collaboration with Open Planet Studios, the exhibition marks a first-of-its-kind experience for the museum and will open to the public on June 19. Photographs from the exhibition preview showcase dazzling wildlife imagery alongside breathtaking landscapes and star-filled skies.

Sir David speaking on the exhibition, previously shared: "Humanity is the most influential species on Earth. We depend entirely on this magnificent planet, yet its future is in our hands."