David Attenborough and Dave the rapper to collaborate on musical wildlife special

Film composer Hans Zimmer is also involved in the one-off nature special

Sir David Attenborough is set to collaborate with Mercury Prize-winning rapper Dave for a new BBC wildlife programme.

The musical special, entitled Planet Earth: A Celebration, will also feature work from the acclaimed film composer Hans Zimmer.

According to the BBC, the programme is “designed to lift viewers’ spirits during a time of international uncertainty”, and will feature sequences from the previous Attenborough-fronted series Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II.

Attenborough has recorded new voiceover narration for the special, while Zimmer (along with other composers) has reworked the original score and added new compositions.

The string section of the score will be performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, with Dave performing on the grand piano.

Dave, whose real name is David Omoregie, said: “I’ve always been a fan of powerful natural history documentaries. This is a programme where nature and music come together, so it was only right that I lent my talent, my time, and my attention to this project. It was a pleasure to work alongside Sir David Attenborough and Hans Zimmer.”

Zimmer, who is known for scoring films such as Pirates of the Caribbean and The Dark Knight, said: “Working with David on so many of his magnificent programs celebrating nature and our planet has been a joy for me. I am constantly inspired by what he is able to capture, and the collection of sequences featured in Planet Earth: A Celebration is truly special.

The one-off project is expected to air on BBC One at the end of August.