The next David Attenborough need not have any natural history qualifications but must be able to make the animal world entertaining for viewers, a senior BBC executive has said.
Dr Wendy Darke, head of the BBC's Natural History Unit, said Sir David Attenborough, 88, would not ultimately be replaced by a similar authoritative figure, boasting an academic grounding in wildlife issues.
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In comments likely to raise concerns that the BBC is "dumbing down" its natural history programming, Dr Darke told the Radio Times: "Often people who don't come from a biological degree background ask questions that the audience would ask."
Sir David, who obtained a degree in natural sciences at Cambridge University, believes that programmes are increasingly becoming visual spectaculars geared for international sales.
