David Attenborough, 98, addresses whether new series will be his last

David Attenborough, 98, has discussed his views on retirement (Image: GETTY)

One of the most renowned figures in British television, Sir David Attenborough, has revealed his thoughts on retirement as he reaches his late nineties.

During his more than 70 year career with the BBC, Attenborough has been a pioneer in modern nature programming, acting as presenter and narrator for some of the most influential wildlife series to ever grace the small screen.

Now 98, he is set to star in a new series, Asia, which will explore the coastline, jungles and mountains for plants, animals and sealife unique to the continent’s stunning landscape.

Ahead of the series premiere, Attenborough has admitted the thought of ending his career in television fills him with “dread”.

Attenborough has been highly commended for his services to the environment and broadcasting (Image: GETTY)

BBC producer Mike Gunton worked closely with Attenborough on Planet Earth III and told The Independent: “Working with him in his nineties is not that hard, because he can do almost anything.”

Attenborough has previously suggested he would consider retiring from programming if he lost significant mobility or started producing “substandard work.”

Considering the prospect of retirement, Attenborough has said: “I dread not working, although there are things I can do without running up steps six times - books to be written, things I never got round to.

“But, at the moment, it seems to be alright.”

Gunton, who has worked alongside the documentary star for nearly four decades, admitted he once asked Attenborough if he ever had plans to retire.

According to him, Attenborough responded: “I don’t know what that word means.”

Attenborough's new seven-part series will premiere this Sunday on BBC One (Image: BBC Studios )

Ahead of his 2018 documentary, Attenborough and the Sea Dragon, which explored the history of a 200-million-year-old ichthyosaur fossil, the presenter hinted that he would stop working if he ever felt his commentary fell below his own impeccably high standards.

He explained: “I spend a lot of time fiddling with the words. I write a commentary and feel it’s finished, then go back over it the next day and find it full of infelicities, clumsiness and redundancies.

“If I thought I was turning in substandard work, that would stop me.”

He added that he hoped he would be able to recognise when it was right to step back and would not have to rely on someone else telling him the time had come to retire.

Despite nearing 100, Attenborough continues to be a fervent campaigner for stronger environmental protections and conservation efforts, and has so far continued to impart his extensive knowledge of the natural world with millions of viewers.