TV & Film
Sir David Attenborough warns of another pandemic if we don’t tackle the climate crisis
This is terrifying…
The nation’s favourite TV host has issued his starkest warning ever to the drastic effects that could happen if we don’t tackle climate change as an eighth of the planet’s species risk dying out.
The nature expert has made a desperate plea for people to change their ways or the effects of global warming and climate change will be dire.
His latest BBC programme, Extinction: The Facts, is slightly different from the usual euphoric and beautiful scenes found in his previous programmes. This one depicts imagery of monkeys escaping forest fires, corpses of killer whales and a lost baby bear stuck in a smoking landscape.
It highlights the threat of extinction of one million different species through coronavirus, explaining that ‘our destructive relationship with nature’ is linked to the emergence of Covid-19′ which both blames and threatens humans.
In a final speech on a new BBC programme, Sir David said: “One thing we do know, if nature is given the chance it can bounce back.
He took us back to 1992 where he met a group of mountain gorillas, one named Poppy. Thanks to conservation efforts the family is still thriving, offering a glimmer of hope.
He added: “To see Poppy’s daughter and granddaughter thriving is thrilling. It just shows what we can achieve when we put our minds to it.
“I do truly believe that together we can create a better future.”
Pausing for a moment, Sir David landed a statement that has shaken viewers to their core.
He said: “I might not be here to see it but if we make the right decision at this critical moment we can save our planet’s ecosystem, it’s extraordinary biodiversity and all its inhabitance.”
“What happens next is up to every one of us” he explained.
From then, Twitter was full of very teary-eyed watchers who explained how important the programme is.
One user wrote: “I can’t imagine a world without Sir David Attenborough in it. Such an important programme once again. We can all do more. #ExtinctionTheFacts #Extinction”.
The programme also explains that deadly viruses such as Sars, Ebola and Aides have effected us via wildlife and through the intrusion of humans into natural habitats to rear cattle, grow soya, or produce palm oil.
It goes on to point out that there is no reason why a new virus that is deadlier than coronavirus could easily appear, and possibly even ‘wipe out’ humans.
In his new book, A Life on Our Planet, Sir David explained that we could face a lifetime of floods, drought and an acidic ocean if we don’t act now to save our planet.
He added that by 2030, just ten years from now, the world’s biggest rainforest could be reduced by 75% due to illegal burning and deforestation.
“Reduced rainfall would cause water shortages in cities and droughts in the farmlands created by the deforestation. Food production would be radically affected,” he writes.
“The biodiversity loss would be catastrophic. Species that may have given us drugs, new foodstuffs and industrial applications may be gone.”
Sir David also explained that the polar bear may also begin to die off, writing: “As the ice-free period lengthened, scientists detected a worrying trend.
“Pregnant females, drained of their reserves, were now giving birth to smaller cubs.
“It is quite possible that one year, the summer would be just that little bit longer, and the cubs born that year will be so small that they cannot survive their first polar winter. That whole population of polar bears would then crash.”
He also further explained that by 2080 another pandemic might hit due to a vast crop failure and that food production will hit a point of crisis worsening the effects of a pandemic.
Attenborough does explain that solutions are ‘within our grasp’, adding that there are ‘steps we can take and goals we must achieve to avert the coming catastrophe’.
TV & Film
Davina McCall confirms ‘middle-aged’ Love Island is coming to ITV this year
It’s finally happening!
Davina McCall has said ‘the secret’s out’ as a new ‘middle-aged’ Love Island TV show has been confirmed for ITV.
The new reality dating show for single mums and dads will be coming to ITV later this year. Previously dubbed the ‘middle-aged Love Island’, the new programme will be called My Mum, Your Dad.
The brand new series will be hosted by Davina McCall, 55, who shared the exciting news with her followers on Instagram, writing: “The secret is finally out!
“A brand-new series, following a group of single parents looking for a second chance at love.
“They’ve been nominated by their grown-up kids, but what they don’t know is that their kids are watching their every move and playing matchmaker (holding cushions over their faces as they watch the shenanigans!).”
She also went on to confirm that the series will be out in the autumn. Host Davina McCall then commented on her own Instagram post, saying: “Thank goodness the secret is finally out! I’ve been bursting to tell!!!
“I’m so so excited to host My Mum, Your Dad – this show will have you so invested in the people in it.
“Fascinating, vibrant individuals who have lived incredible lives already, with a million life lessons under their belts, as they search for their perfect life partner. But also with the juiciest twist of any show I’ve ever worked on.”
After hearing her plea for the show on his podcast, Steven Bartlett commented: “She manifested this into existence.”
The much-loved TV presenter told Dragons Den’s Steven Bartlett on his Diary Of A CEO podcast that she was ‘literally begging’ the broadcaster to let her present a ‘midlife Love Island’.
Earlier this year the former Big Brother presenter told followers she and ITV bosses were looking for ‘people who have lived a life, who have been through experiences; bad, moving, hard. They’ve got luggage! But they deserve love!’
The upcoming reality dating show will see a group of over-35 single parents, who are looking for love, placed together in a country house. Little do they know, their children will be watching on from a secret nearby location as they get to decide who their parent will be matched with for their first date.
Amanda Holden looks set to ‘take over from the late Paul O’Grady’ on ITV’s For the Love of Dogs, according to reports.
The 52-year-old Britain’s Got Talent judge is said to be the ‘natural choice’ to take the place of the late comedian — known for his love of animals — on his beloved Battersea Dogs Home series.
The national treasure and TV presenter, who performed for years as both himself as his drag alter-ego Lily Savage, died ‘unexpectedly’ but peacefully’ at his Kent home in March, at the age of 67.
An advocate for the welfare of dogs, O’Grady began presenting the series in 2012, based out of the dogs and cats care facility in London.
It’s beginning to look as though his friend and fellow TV presenter Amanda Holden will take hold of the reins of the much-loved series, which is in its 11th, and potentially, final season.
Talking to The Sun, a source said: “Executives just feel like it’s too soon to make firm plans about the series, as it’s barely been two months since he died.”
However, they added: “But the feeling at the home is that [Amanda as host] what Paul would have wanted. He cared deeply about the animals in Battersea.
“Amanda is the natural choice to take over the job, not just because she’s a seasoned presenter but because she also cares about the home.” Amanda is also an ambassador at the Battersea Dogs & Cats home, just as Paul was.
The latest episodes of the series, which were filmed with O’Grady has host before his ‘peaceful but unexpected’ death, have left viewers feeling emotional. Paul became teary as he saw ‘Freddie’ the dog suffering due to a deep wound that needed careful surgery and stitches.
“Can’t work out if this series is making me cry more because of the specific stories or because Paul is gone. Maybe both,” one viewer posted on Twitter.
Another added: “Oh god, here we go again, more tears for the beautiful pooches & our dear, wonderful irreplaceable Paul. That said, I really hope someone will pick this up & carry on Paul’s truly amazing work with Battersea.”
A Mamma Mia 3 movie is said to be ‘finally in the works’.
It’s good news for Mamma Mia fans as the ABBA-themed sing-along rom-com reportedly has a third in the pipeline.
Fifteen years after the first Mamma Mia was released, and five since Mamma Mia 2, fans will be delighted as their hopes and dreams may finally come true.
A handful of stars from the show have expressed their desire to have a third movie — so perhaps it’s time for Universal Pictures to put their ‘money, money, money’ where their mouth is and get this movie made.
There’s no official confirmation just yet. However, Mamma Mia‘s original production team have spoken out about a potential third film — sounds promising!
The show’s creator confirmed she had a story ready, plus there are still more ABBA songs out there to cover. According to Deadline, Mamma Mia creator, Judy Craymer, has got some fresh ideas to take things forward.
“I don’t want to over-egg it, but I know there’s a trilogy there,” she said. “There is a story there, and I do think Meryl should come back – and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna.” Come on, Meryl!
Craymer’s not the only one willing to take a chance on Mamma Mia 3 as movie star Pierce Brosnan told The Kelly Clarkson Show that the cast were ‘talking about it’.
Back in June 2020, Craymer also revealed to the Daily Mail that she had been working on the third instalment for some time. “I think one day there will be another film, because there’s meant to be a trilogy, you see. I know Universal would like me to do it,” she said.
While audiences might be shouting ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’, it’s still really early days for the film’s production — though Brosnan reckons his co-stars would come back as ‘it was criminal how much fun we had’.
If a third movie does go ahead, that could be it for the Mamma Mia story, as Craymer has previously spoken about a ‘trilogy’. So when the credits roll and the curtains draw, it might be a case of ‘Thank You for the Music’.
That’s all we have for now, so keep your eyes peeled for further updates here.
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