David Attenborough to return for new BBC series about Great Barrier Reef

New series is expected to be screened on television next year

Broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough (Getty Images)

Sir David Attenborough is set to film a new BBC wildlife series in the Great Barrier Reef.

The veteran presenter will lead three hour-long episodes, exploring the range of creatures who live on the reef, after first shooting from the Australian coast’s natural wonder almost six decades ago.

David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef is expected to air in late 2015, with the team behind award-winning series First Life already working on it.

They will use techniques such as satellite scanning to examine the 2,300 km reef as well as macro lenses on the cameras that will enable viewers to close in on tiny and normally unseen creatures.

Sir David first filmed on the reef for the series Zoo Quest in 1957, and has retained his passion for the location.

He said: “People say to me, 'what was the most magical thing you ever saw in your life?', and I always say without a word of exaggeration 'the first time I was lucky enough to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef'.

“As I entered the water I remember suddenly seeing these amazing multi-coloured species living in communities - just astounding and unforgettable beauty. So I'm very excited to be returning to the reef with all the latest technology and science to see one of the most important places on the planet in a whole new way”.

A Hawksbill sea turtle is seen swimming in the Great Barrier Reef (Getty Images)

BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore said: “With the combination of David Attenborough's personal connection with the reef, his masterful storytelling and the very latest cutting-edge technology, viewers will see the Great Barrier Reef as we've never seen it before - a really exciting visual treat for BBC1.”

The series was commissioned by Charlotte Moore and Tom McDonald, head of commissioning, science and natural history, and will be produced by Anthony Geffen.

Mr Geffen, of Atlantic Productions, said: “David said that the Great Barrier Reef was the place he most wanted to return to. I'm so pleased that we will be going there for this, our tenth project together.”

Additional reporting by Press Association