David Attenborough explains why he won’t return to Instagram: ‘Send me a letter and I’d be delighted to reply’

‘If you wouldn’t mind including a self-addressed stamped envelope I’d be delighted to reply’

Sir David Attenborough has said that he won’t return to Instagram after his short-lived stint on the social media platform.

However, the popular nature documentarian revealed that he receives 70 letters per day, and tries to respond to all of them personally.

Speaking to Greg James on BBC Radio 1, Attenborough said: “I’m so old I can’t get used to all these new media but I was persuaded to do so in order to do a message about conservation.

“So for a limited period of time I contributed to Instagram but I’m off now. I’m not on it anymore and I don’t intend to go back.”

When he joined Instagram in August 2020, Attenborough became the fastest account to reach 1 million followers, a record which was since beaten by Harry Potter star Rupert Grint.

“I’ve got enough problems with post,” he continued. “I get 70 letters a day! I do my very best [to respond to them all]. Sometimes people, mercifully, don’t actually put their address on because people are so unaccustomed to sending letters.

James responded that people would now send letters “expecting you to send a letter back”, having mentioned it on national radio.

“If you wouldn’t mind including a self-addressed stamped envelope I’d be delighted to reply!” replied Attenborough.

It was recently announced that he will return for a second series of the BBC’s Dynasties, which is expected to air in 2022.