Sir David Attenborough is returning to the Great Barrier Reef for a brand new series for BBC One. Sir David first filmed on the Reef in 1957 though is returning to explore the "astounding and unforgettable beauty."

David AttenboroughSir David Attenborough is heading back to Australia

Describing it as the "rainforest of the ocean," Sir David said: "I'm very excited to be returning with all the latest technology and science to see one of the most important places on the planet in a whole new way."

"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'," added Sir David.

"As I entered the water I remember suddenly seeing these amazing multi-coloured species living in communities... just astounding and unforgettable beauty."

More: check out our David Attenborough picture gallery

Producer Anthony Geffen said the series would be "capturing the Reef using super-high speed cameras, new macro lenses, time-lapse and many other techniques to reveal and visualise the Reef in completely new ways."

The lenses will apparently film the normally unseen life-forms in the 2,300km of living coral.

BBC One controller Charlotte Moore called it an "an exciting visual treat," adding, "Viewers will see the Great Barrier Reef as we've never seen it before."

Naturalist Attenborough had to cancel a tour of Australia in June after undergoing heart surgery in London. The 87-year-old broadcaster as due to give a series of talks about his extraordinary experiences and achievements but was advised by a cardiologist that he was in urgent need for a pacemaker. 

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